PM demands report on illegal fishing activities

DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has ordered immediate submission of a comprehensive report on combating illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean.

The Premier said the report has to be submitted before the tabling in the Parliament 2024/25 budget of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

“Details regarding the specialised efforts to curb illegal fishing in the great Ocean area must be presented before the budget speech for 2024/25,” he emphasised.

He was speaking on Sunday at Dar es Salaam Port in Dar es Salaam during the  worth over 1.3bn/- to aid in tackling illegal maritime activities in the country.

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PM noted that the project to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and maritime activities in the country is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan.

Furthermore, Mr Majaliwa emphasised the importance of allocating sufficient funds to ensure the efficient operation of the boat.

He urged the relevant authorities to make provisions for ongoing maintenance to prolong the boat’s lifespan. In addition, he stressed the necessity of implementing a clear communication strategy with Zanzibar to optimise the effectiveness of maritime patrol activities, ultimately benefiting both parties involved.

He also commended UNDP and Japan for being the driving force behind the successful implementation of Tanzania annual plans, which has significantly expedited development.

“Rest and be assured, the Government will maintain unwavering support and cooperation with you, while also ensuring that the funds allocated for different projects are utilised according to the agreed-upon purposes by all stakeholders,” Prime Minister said.

Earlier, UNDP Resident Representative in Tanzania Shigeki Komatsubara noted that the project, implemented in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania through the Prime Minister’s Office and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), titled “Tackling Illegal Maritime Activities: Supporting the Establishment of an Operational Interagency Maritime Security Coordination Mechanism in Tanzania,” has achieved significant milestones over its five-year duration.

He said the project signifies a major achievement in enhancing maritime safety and security in Tanzanian waters. It also marks the official handover of essential assets and mechanisms to the Government of Tanzania, symbolising the collective efforts to safeguard Tanzania’s maritime resources and promote sustainable development.

This event underscores the commitment of all stakeholders to combat illegal maritime activities and foster prosperity for Tanzanian coastal communities.

“UNDP reaffirms its steadfast commitment to maintaining close collaboration with the Government of Tanzania to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and vision for 2050 and propel forward the blue economy sector for the prosperity of all Tanzanians,” he remarked.

He added that, during the project’s duration, a robust coordinating mechanism has been established within Tanzania, facilitating a more effective response to illegal maritime activities.

Furthermore, he said , this endeavour has led to tangible improvements in the livelihoods of coastal communities in Bagamoyo, Pangani and Mafia districts, empowering them with better access to resources and technology.

Key achievements include the successful launch of the Framework for the National Coordination Mechanism, the delivery of essential assets such as speedboats accompanied by maintenance training, comprehensive capacity-building sessions benefiting over 250 small-scale fishermen, and the installation of fish drying racks, directly benefiting over 1,200+ artisan fishermen and women.

For his part, Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania, Mr Yasushi Misawa, stated that these accomplishments underscore the commitment and dedication of all stakeholders involved in safeguarding Tanzania’s maritime resources and promoting sustainable development along its coastline.

“Japan has been one of Tanzania’s long-standing partners and is willing to further contribute to Tanzania’s social and economic development. And as a neighbour across the Ocean and an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan is committed to continue its cooperation with Tanzania to ensure maritime safety and resource sustainability in this region.”