Dodoma. The government has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the fisheries sector to curb illegal fishing, warning that enforcement efforts alone are insufficient to address the persistent challenge.
Speaking in Dodoma on March 25 during the launch of the National Guidelines for Co-Management of Fisheries Resources through Beach Management Units (BMUs), the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Bashiru Ally, said collective action is key to safeguarding the country’s fisheries resources.
He noted that the newly introduced guidelines are intended to strengthen protection of fisheries resources, stimulate economic growth and improve food security.
Mr Ally made the remarks during a discussion on the sustainability of fisheries resources and the development of the blue economy, where he stressed that relying solely on law enforcement agencies cannot effectively eliminate illegal fishing practices.
“I have visited the Lake Zone and witnessed how some individuals modify legal fishing nets to engage in illegal practices. This cannot be controlled by the police alone—how many officers can you deploy?” he said.
“The only way to succeed is through collaborative approaches and continuous education,” he added.
The minister emphasised that the success of the BMU guidelines will depend on their implementation, cautioning that they must translate into practical action rather than remain policy documents.
The guidelines are expected to strengthen community participation in managing fisheries resources while enhancing sustainability and economic benefits for local communities.
On her part, the Country Director of The Nature Conservancy in Tanzania, Lucy Magembe, said the organisation is working closely with the government to empower fishing communities through training and capacity building.
She said through the BMU system, efforts have been made to promote responsible fishing practices, reduce illegal fishing and support community-led conservation initiatives.
“Our goal is to see communities become part of the solution by actively participating in the conservation of fisheries resources and benefiting from them sustainably,” she said.
Earlier, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Fisheries, Mohamed Sheikh, said the responsibility to protect fisheries resources lies with every citizen.
He noted that about 700 BMU groups across the country are currently working with local communities to manage and safeguard fisheries resources, adding that the approach is already yielding positive results.
Mr Sheikh said the collaboration has contributed to a reduction in illegal fishing and strengthened conservation efforts in various parts of the country.