Tanzania Agreement: A Step Towards Sustainable Fisheries Management

Tanzania, a country located on the eastern coast of Africa, is known for its diverse marine ecosystem, which provides livelihoods for thousands of communities living along the coast. The country, however, has been grappling with unsustainable fishing practices and overfishing, which have severely impacted the marine ecosystem, resulting in reduced fish stocks and fish population decline. The Tanzanian government, together with other stakeholders, has been working towards sustainable fisheries management, and the Tanzania Agreement is one of the initiatives aimed at achieving this goal.

The Tanzania Agreement, also known as the Zanzibar Declaration on IUU Fishing, was signed in 2010 by nine Indian Ocean countries, including Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, Somalia, South Africa, Seychelles, Comoros, and Mauritius. The agreement aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, reduce bycatch, and promote sustainable fisheries management in the Indian Ocean. The agreement is also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The Tanzania Agreement has several provisions that promote sustainable fisheries management. For instance, the agreement requires signatory countries to develop and implement effective monitoring, control, and surveillance systems, including vessel monitoring systems and observer programs. The agreement also requires signatory countries to adopt measures to reduce bycatch and discards, such as the use of selective fishing gear and the release of non-target species.

Another key provision of the Tanzania Agreement is the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. The agreement recognizes that fishing communities depend on the marine resources for their livelihoods and outlines measures to ensure that fishing activities are sustainable and do not negatively impact the ecosystem. The agreement encourages the adoption of alternative income-generating activities for fishing communities, such as aquaculture and tourism.

The Tanzania Agreement has been successful in promoting sustainable fisheries management in the Indian Ocean. For instance, Tanzania has implemented measures to combat IUU fishing, such as the establishment of a Vessel Monitoring System and the deployment of observers on fishing vessels. Tanzania has also introduced regulations to reduce bycatch and discards, such as mandatory use of turtle excluder devices on shrimp trawlers.

In conclusion, the Tanzania Agreement is a crucial step towards sustainable fisheries management in the Indian Ocean. The agreement promotes responsible fishing practices, reduces bycatch and discards, and supports the livelihoods of coastal communities. The implementation of the Tanzania Agreement requires collaboration and cooperation between governments, civil society organizations, and fishing communities. It is also important to ensure that the agreement is properly enforced to achieve its objectives.