Tanzania is seeking to strengthen the health and welfare of farmed aquatic animals through a new national strategy, as the government looks to increase fish production, address supply shortages and protect consumers.
The proposed framework is also expected to help improve the quality of fish and fish products, strengthen confidence in the country's exports and ensure that growing investment in aquaculture translates into wider economic benefits.
The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, with support from non-governmental organisation OHDI, has prepared the draft strategy to coordinate aquatic animal health and welfare interventions across the country.
Speaking during the launch of the draft strategy in Dar es Salaam on October 29, 2026, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the ministry responsible for fisheries, Prof Mohammed Sheikh, said maintaining fish health standards was important for protecting consumers and sustaining Tanzania's access to international markets.
He said Tanzania was among a few countries globally with certification allowing it to export fish to major markets, adding that no cases had so far been reported linking fish health challenges to human health concerns.
Prof Sheikh said the strategy was expected to strengthen the entire fish value chain at a time when the government was placing greater emphasis on aquaculture as a source of increased domestic supply.
"We hope this strategy will add value to the fish and fish products value chain because the government has high expectations for the aquaculture industry. We believe it will help reduce the fish supply deficit, which has reached nearly 50 per cent," he said.
The nearly 50 per cent supply gap highlights the scale of the challenge facing the sector and the importance of expanding production to meet domestic demand.
Beyond increasing the number of fish produced, the proposed strategy seeks to make health and welfare considerations part of the industry's growth, an important factor in ensuring that higher production does not compromise food safety or the quality of products reaching consumers.
Director of Aquaculture Development Dr Nazael Madala said investment interest in aquaculture had increased in recent years, reflecting growing recognition of the sector's economic potential.
He said the government was continuing to create an enabling environment for investors, with the intention of ensuring that increased production could serve both domestic and international markets.
The expansion of aquaculture could create opportunities across the value chain, including fish farming, processing, transportation and marketing, while helping improve the availability of fish for consumers.
However, sustaining that growth will require effective coordination among government institutions, investors, producers and other stakeholders, particularly in managing animal health risks and maintaining production standards.
Speaking on behalf of the Tanzania Aquaculture Association, the organisation's secretary, Mr Jofrey Rucho, urged stakeholders involved in developing the strategy to ensure it addressed the practical needs of fish farmers throughout the country.
He said the framework should benefit all aquaculture producers regardless of their geographical location, stressing the importance of making it inclusive.
OHDI representative Julie Bwoga said the organisation would continue supporting government efforts to improve aquatic animal health and welfare.
She reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to working with the government and other stakeholders to advance the sector.
The proposed strategy comes as Tanzania seeks to unlock aquaculture's potential to bridge the gap between fish supply and demand.
Its effectiveness will depend on how well the framework is translated into practical interventions that reach producers, improve fish health management and maintain consumer confidence in locally produced fish.
For consumers, the broader objective is to improve access to safe fish products, while for farmers and investors, stronger health standards could help build a more reliable and competitive industry.