Industries have been urged to work more closely with universities and research institutions to turn blue economy studies into practical solutions that can address challenges and create jobs and income for communities.
Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI) Board Chairman Peter Olekashe said research would have limited impact if findings remained in academic publications instead of being applied to problems facing industries.
He made the remarks on September 9, 2026, while closing the Fifth International Blue Economy Conference in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Olekashe said closer links between industry and researchers would allow businesses to present their challenges to scientists, who could then develop practical solutions for the maritime sector and other activities linked to the blue economy.
“I believe in working together with universities, research institutions and industry. That is what will bring results, but if we do not work closely together, we may have research that remains in books and on shelves without bearing fruit.”
He also called on DMI to use information and communication technology platforms to share the conference's resolutions with the wider public.
He said wider dissemination would give people who did not attend the three-day meeting an opportunity to understand the issues discussed and contribute their views.
DMI Rector Prof Tumaini Gurumo said the conference, held from September 7 to 9, examined education, investment, entrepreneurship, conservation, technology, laws and policies affecting the blue economy.
He said the first day focused on education, training and human resource development, as well as the need to conserve marine and other water resources while exploiting them for economic benefit.
“We looked at the best ways of using the water resources we have and their resources for economic benefit, but we should not forget that as we focus more on the economy, if we forget to conserve these resources, they may eventually reach their limit and become depleted,” Prof Gurumo said.
On investment and entrepreneurship, he said discussions showed that many entrepreneurs operating in the blue economy needed affordable financing to expand their businesses.
He called on financial institutions to develop financing products suited to the nature of blue economy businesses, including loan arrangements that reflect their operating conditions.
Prof Gurumo said communities should also be at the centre of the blue economy so they can benefit from opportunities created through the use of marine and other water resources.
He further called for investment in modern equipment and technology at maritime education and training institutions.
He warned that relying on outdated training equipment could leave graduates unprepared for modern workplaces and increase the risk of accidents and damage to equipment.
“We need to invest in modern technology so that we can produce young people who go to work understanding what they are doing, while industry can also benefit,” he said.
The third day of the conference focused on laws and policies, including implementation of international agreements governing marine resources.
Prof Gurumo said Tanzania needed to move beyond developing policies and agreements to ensuring they were effectively implemented.
He said one of the conference's key resolutions was to increase public awareness of the blue economy from the community level to the national level.
“There are many people living even near water bodies who do not know what the blue economy is or how they can benefit from it,” he said.
He said local government authorities, villages, councils and regions could be used to deliver public education on the blue economy, with experts helping communities understand available opportunities.
Prof Gurumo also called for stronger formal training programmes to produce professionals with skills that match the growing needs of the blue economy.
Mr Olekashe thanked participants, researchers, speakers and partners from Tanzania and abroad, saying their contributions had helped identify opportunities and challenges in the sector.
He said the conference had created a foundation for turning Tanzania's blue economy potential into tangible benefits for communities and the wider economy.