Zanzibar. A $117 million (about Sh293 billion) project aimed at strengthening sustainable fisheries and marine resource development has been launched to boost the blue economy and improve livelihoods in Tanzania.
The five-year Tanzania Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Project (TASFAM) seeks to provide modern equipment and financial support to fishermen, seaweed farmers, and other marine resource producers, while also addressing climate change challenges.
Speaking during the first implementation meeting of the project on February 6, 2026, the project coordinator, Moh’d Said Khamis from the Zanzibar Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, said the initiative focuses on enhancing marine farming, fishing activities, and seaweed cultivation to support the growth of the blue economy.
He urged project implementers to remain committed and ensure timely execution of activities scheduled for the 2025/26 financial year to meet the project timeline.
“Among the key activities to be implemented under the project include the construction of a seaweed processing plant in Muungoni village, provision of fishing boats, and offering loans to support seaweed farmers and marine farmers, with the aim of expanding the blue economy,” he said.
Khamis added that there is no reason for delays in project implementation, noting that adequate funding has already been secured to ensure efficiency in execution.
He further revealed that about 160,000 people are expected to benefit from the project, of whom 80 percent are women, with the initiative targeting to strengthen the fisheries and seaweed farming sectors while reducing poverty.
The Head of Environmental and Social Safeguards, Ali Khamis Shafi, said the project is designed to reduce poverty while ensuring community and national benefits.
“The project will address key challenges facing communities and ensure environmental and social safety standards are maintained in all implementation areas,” he said.
Participants in the meeting also expressed readiness to implement the project, noting that all preparatory stages of the TASFAM project have been completed.
Masoud Haji said the project will strengthen the blue economy sector and improve the marine environment, noting that limited access to modern equipment and financing has been a major challenge for stakeholders in the sector.
The sustainable fisheries and marine aquaculture project is being implemented jointly by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, with funding support from the World Bank.