Forum: Why Zanzibar’s blue economy is under threat

Unguja. Despite the blue economy making a significant contribution to Zanzibar’s economic growth, marine pollution and illegal fishing continue to threaten the sector’s sustainability, a high-level conference has heard.

The warning was issued yesterday during the Blue Economy and Fisheries Conference in South Unguja, held as part of the Kizimkazi Festival.

Experts and leaders at the meeting discussed the future of Zanzibar’s maritime resources and warned that environmental degradation could reverse recent economic gains.

Opening the 2026 Kizimkazi Festival, Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, called on citizens to shift their focus towards deep-sea fishing and the wider blue economy, saying traditional methods were no longer sufficient to improve livelihoods and drive economic growth.

He said that despite centuries of reliance on coastal waters, traditional artisanal fishing had not lifted livelihoods or contributed to the national economy on the desired scale.

To address this, Dr Mwinyi reiterated the government’s commitment to helping fishers transition to modern deep-sea fishing through improved gear and vessels.

He also outlined plans to construct modern landing sites, improve markets and establish dedicated fishing ports, while setting up seaweed processing factories to add value to local harvests.

“We have an immense opportunity to maximise returns from seaweed farming by scaling up output for global markets so that farmers secure better prices,” said Dr Mwinyi.

He commended private-sector investors for supporting tourism and creating jobs for young people, assuring them that the government remained ready to facilitate further investment in manufacturing and the blue economy.

Deputy Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Ms Mboja Ramadhan Mshenga, underscored the sector’s economic importance, saying the livelihoods of more than 70 percent of Zanzibar’s population depend on the sea. She said Zanzibar’s economy grew by 7.1 percent in 2025, with fisheries and the blue economy accounting for six percentage points of that growth.

“This clearly shows that the blue economy is not a dream or concept, but an economy with great potential, bringing significant results for citizens and the nation as a whole,” she said.

However, Ms Mshenga warned that opportunities linked to the sector, including food security and raw materials, could not be sustained without prioritising marine conservation.

“We cannot succeed in the blue economy without prioritising conservation and sustainable use of the sea and its resources,” she said. She identified illegal fishing, climate change and environmental pollution as major factors depleting marine resources and placing growing pressure on ecosystems.

She said the National Development Vision 2050 identifies sustainable environmental conservation as a critical tool for job creation and economic growth.

Conference participants said the government was being forced to spend significant resources on patrols to combat illegal fishing, a challenge worsened by limited public understanding of conservation.

Marine Parks and Reserves Manager for Tanzania, Dr Emmanuel Sweke, said illegal fishing in protected areas remained a major challenge, with some fishers entering the zones without considering the environmental consequences.

“Citizens lack understanding regarding the benefits of marine conservation, something which causes the community to invade protected areas, entering to conduct fishing activities without considering the impact of that,” said Dr Sweke.

He also identified climate change as a major challenge and called for more research to help stakeholders prepare for environmental shifts.

Dr Sweke said some tourists also contribute to environmental degradation by pressuring guides to swim long distances, resulting in accidents and, in some cases, fatalities.

Coastal Activities Coordinator, Ms Nuru Said Salum, echoed the concerns, saying some communities remained reluctant to abandon illegal fishing despite repeated awareness campaigns.

She added that conflicts among villagers competing for marine areas continued to undermine conservation efforts. Presenting a paper, Dr Makame Omar Makame called for dedicated funding to strengthen marine resilience.

He proposed sourcing funds through private-sector investment, improved revenue management, innovative financing mechanisms and strategic use of public funds and development assistance.

With about 86,000 fishers in Tanzania dependent on marine fishing, Dr Makame said investment in conservation and public education was essential to protecting livelihoods.

The discussions also highlighted the need for stronger cooperation among government institutions, local communities, researchers and investors to protect marine habitats while ensuring that people who depend on the sea can continue earning sustainable incomes.

Participants said effective enforcement must be matched by education, alternative livelihoods, and better management of coastal resources.

They urged stakeholders to act before fish stocks and habitats deteriorate further.

Permanent Secretary in Zanzibar’s Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Dr Aboud Suleiman Jumbe, said the blue economy depended entirely on healthy marine ecosystems.

He said the government’s heavy reliance on the sector had prompted plans to prepare a comprehensive national marine conservation plan to ensure the blue economy remained a pillar of Zanzibar’s economy for decades to come.