Fisheries research seen key to blue economy
TANZANIA: STRONGER fisheries research, reliable data and private-sector partnerships could help unlock greater economic value from the country’s marine and freshwater resources as pressure on aquatic ecosystems intensifies.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Country Director Ms Lucy Magembe said yesterday that credible scientific evidence would increasingly determine Tanzania’s ability to manage fisheries sustainably, attract investment and access international markets.
“If we are to sell our resources and really benefit from our blue economy, we need the likes of TAFIRI to guide us,” Ms Magembe said at the opening of the fourth Fisheries and Aquaculture Research for a Vibrant Blue Economy (FAR4VIBE) conference.
She said international markets were demanding greater transparency and traceability in fisheries, particularly in deep-sea fishing, making accurate data and effective monitoring increasingly important for Tanzania’s competitiveness.
Without reliable information on the condition and use of fisheries resources, Tanzania risks failing to capture the full economic potential of its marine and freshwater assets, she said.
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The emphasis on scientific data comes as the country seeks to expand the contribution of the blue economy to growth, jobs and incomes while managing pressures from over-extraction, climate change, habitat destruction and population growth.
TNC has strengthened its cooperation with the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) through a memorandum of understanding signed in October last year, covering scientific research, sustainable fisheries management, biodiversity conservation and evidence-based decision-making.
The partnership includes freshwater and coastal resources, including the Lake Tanganyika basin shared by four countries and the Western Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Dr Bashiru Ally directed research institutions, universities and private-sector players to accelerate the development and multiplication of improved fish breeds and quality feeds.
