Octopus fishers record bumper harvest

TANGA: OCTOPUS fishers in Boma village, Mkinga District, Tanga Region, have recorded a sharp increase in catches, landing 788 kilogrammes in three days, the highest since a community conservation project began in 2024.

The record catch follows the introduction of a voluntary octopus habitat protection initiative, locally known as “reef closures,” which requires fishers to suspend harvesting for 90 days to allow the species to breed and mature. According to Coordinator of the Mwambao Community Network Tanzania, Mr Ahmed Salum which oversees the project, the approach has transformed both fishing practices and incomes.

“Previously, fishers operated on routine, with individuals catching between 2kg and 5kg per day,” he said. Mr Salum explained that after training and awareness on the benefits of temporary closures, a single fisher can now harvest up to 40kg during the open period.

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At a market price of 8,000/- per kilogramme, this has significantly boosted earnings. He noted that convincing fishers to shift from daily harvesting to periodic closures was initially challenging.

“It wasn’t easy to change mindsets. They were used to going out to sea every day. Now they wait 90 days and fish intensively for just three consecutive days. It requires discipline, but the results speak for themselves,” he said.

Mr Salum urged continued community vigilance to protect marine resources, calling on fishers to guard against illegal and destructive practices.

“Everyone must act as a guardian of the other. We must ensure no one damages marine and coastal resources. We expect even higher incomes and will continue supporting fishers with essential equipment, including patrol boats,” he added.

Mkinga District Beach Management Unit (BMU) Chairperson, Mr Kassim Khalfani, confirmed that the initiative has improved livelihoods. “Our incomes have increased significantly. We can now meet household needs without difficulty. In the past, fishing was mainly for subsistence, but now it has become a reliable commercial activity,” he said.