The government has begun drafting a comprehensive operational guideline aimed at strengthening the protection and management of fisheries resources as part of broader efforts to curb illegal fishing and boost fish production in the country.
The initiative, being undertaken by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, seeks to establish a standard framework that will guide fisheries officers and enforcement teams in carrying out surveillance and resource management activities in line with existing laws, regulations and procedures governing the sector.
Speaking during a stakeholders' workshop in Morogoro on June 11, 2026, Assistant Director of Fisheries Christian Nzowa, representing the Director of Fisheries, said the guideline would provide a clear operational framework for fisheries patrols and enforcement activities across Mainland Tanzania.
Mr Nzowa said the ministry had convened stakeholders from local government authorities overseeing fishing areas in Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Nyasa, inland water bodies and the Indian Ocean coastline, alongside retired senior fisheries officers and experts from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), to review the proposed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
He said the guidelines are intended to enhance the implementation of fisheries regulations and improve coordination among officers responsible for protecting fisheries resources.
“For regulations to be effectively enforced, there must be operational guidelines that are aligned with the National Development Vision 2050 and provide clear direction to fisheries patrol officers and resource protection personnel across the country,” he said.
According to Mr Nzowa, the document will focus on three key areas. The first will outline procedures for conducting patrols on lakes and in marine waters, while the second will cover land-based inspections, including monitoring activities at fisheries processing plants, warehouses and other fisheries-related facilities.
The third section will provide guidance on the use of aerial surveillance in monitoring and protecting fisheries resources.
He noted that the guideline will apply to Mainland Tanzania and will be produced in both Kiswahili and English to ensure wider accessibility among stakeholders and enforcement agencies.
Before its adoption, the document will be shared with stakeholders for further review and validation.
Mr Nzowa said the initiative goes beyond resource protection, emphasizing that it is also intended to support sustainable growth in fish production.
“Fish stocks have been declining largely due to illegal fishing practices. These guidelines will help strengthen enforcement efforts while contributing to increased productivity and the sustainable use of fisheries resources,” he said.
The move comes as the government intensifies efforts to safeguard the country's fisheries sector, which plays a critical role in food security, employment, export earnings and the livelihoods of millions of Tanzanians.
