DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania’s efforts to turn its vast marine resources into a source of sustainable growth have received a fresh boost after the European Union committed 11.4 million euros (34.5bn/-) to a programme aimed at protecting coastal ecosystems, creating jobs and strengthening the country’s blue economy.
The funding supports the ‘Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu’ (Let’s Protect Our Ocean Together) Project, a four-year initiative running from 2024 to 2028 that seeks to balance environmental conservation with economic development along Tanzania’s coastline.
Coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the programme forms part of the European Union’s broader 110 million euros (333.3bn/-) blue economy for job creation and climate change adaptation programme in Tanzania.
The project brings together government agencies, conservation organisations, research institutions and local communities to tackle mounting pressures on marine ecosystems while expanding economic opportunities linked to fisheries, tourism and coastal enterprises.
Officials say the initiative will address biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, overexploitation of marine resources and gaps in research, monitoring and enforcement capacity that have constrained sustainable management of coastal resources.
Implementation will cover six regions — Mtwara, Lindi, Coast and Dar es Salaam in Mainland Tanzania, together with North and South Unguja in Zanzibar — and is expected to benefit more than 500,000 people through conservation, livelihood and capacitybuilding programmes.
The project targets the creation of at least 360 blue and green entrepreneurs, support for 15 innovative plastic-waste management ventures, restoration of degraded marine and coastal ecosystems and the establishment of governance frameworks in the Mtwara and Unguja seascapes.
IUCN Tanzania Country Representative Charles Oluchina said during the launch, the programme was built around collaboration among conservation groups, government institutions and development partners, with each implementing organisation assigned a specialised role.
According to Mr Oluchina, the Forum on Climate Change (FORUMCC) has been allocated 449,559 euros (1.36bn/-) to support community engagement, public awareness and climate-related interventions at the local level.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Tanzania received 628,063 euros(1.90bn/-) to implement marine conservation and biodiversity protection activities.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) secured 1.12 million euros (3.4bn/-), the largest allocation among implementing partners, reflecting its responsibility for strengthening community-led management of coastal forests and associated ecosystems.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Tanzania received 628,739 euros (1.9bn/-) to implement marine biodiversity conservation programmes and protect critical marine habitats.
Mr Oluchina said the initiative is organised around five work streams covering marine biodiversity conservation, community-led management of coastal forests, reduction of plastic pollution in marine and estuarine environments, institutional and research capacity building, and overall project coordination.
The structure, he said, is intended to ensure that interventions are scientifically informed while remaining responsive to the needs of coastal communities and aligned with national blue economy priorities.
Beyond conservation, the programme is investing in human capital, reflecting growing recognition that the blue economy requires specialised expertise in marine science, environmental management and resource governance.
“Sustainable management of marine resources requires investment in education and skills development to prepare a new generation of professionals in marine sciences, environmental management and related disciplines,” he said.
Project data show that 14 beneficiaries have already received tuition support amounting to 95.57m/- and living stipends totalling 461.4m/-.
An additional beneficiary received tuition support of 5.68m/- and stipends worth 18.7m/-, while six scholarship recipients received 76.23m/- in tuition support and 225.87m/- in stipends. Another seven beneficiaries were allocated 60.22m/- in tuition assistance and 208.9m/- in stipends.
Combined, the scholarship programme has channelled more than 1.15bn/- into academic training and research development.
Mr Oluchina said the investment would strengthen Tanzania’s long-term capacity to manage marine and coastal resources by producing professionals capable of advancing conservation science, policy development and innovation.
Plastic pollution remains another major focus of the programme. Waste flowing into rivers, estuaries and the ocean continue to damage habitats, threaten marine species and undermine economic activities that depend on healthy ecosystems, including fisheries and tourism.
To address the challenge, project partners are supporting initiatives designed to reduce plastic waste generation, improve collection and recycling systems and promote circular-economy business models in coastal communities.
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The economic rationale extends beyond environmental protection. Healthier marine ecosystems can improve fisheries productivity, strengthen tourism competitiveness and reduce the costs associated with environmental degradation and restoration.
Support for green enterprises and waste-management businesses is also expected to generate new sources of income in coastal areas.
The programme places coastal communities at the centre of conservation efforts, recognising their dependence on fishing, seaweed farming, tourism and small-scale trade.
Through strengthened community management systems, the project aims to improve stewardship of natural resources while increasing resilience to climaterelated shocks and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
Representing the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment Affairs), Dr Semvua Mzighani said the project’s focus on community participation, capacity building and ecosystembased management complements government priorities for fisheries and marine resource development.
He said the initiative supports national efforts to promote marine conservation, community-based natural resource management and sustainable livelihood creation.
European Union Delegation representative Marc Stalmans said the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 is aligned with the country’s Vision 2050, which seeks to build a prosperous middle-income economy supported by sustainable use of natural resources.
“The Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu Project is positioned as a transformative initiative that will shape the future of Tanzania’s coastal and marine economy while safeguarding natural ecosystems for generations to come,” he said.
Stakeholders said the project demonstrates how partnerships between international organisations, government institutions and local communities can strengthen environmental governance while creating economic opportunities.
The programme is expected to improve enforcement capacity, support research and strengthen long-term development of Tanzania’s blue economy as policymakers increasingly view marine conservation as an economic strategy as much as an environmental one.