ZANZIBAR set to host regional summit on illegal fishing, blue economy

ZANZIBAR: Zanzibar will host a three-day regional summit later this month to strengthen joint action against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) and advance cooperation on the blue economy across the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region.

The Blue Voices Regional Summit 2026 is scheduled for January 26–28, 2026 and will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries (Zanzibar) and The Jahazi Project, in partnership with Ascending Africa, organisers said.

According to organisers, the meeting will bring together delegations from Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar to push for stronger, coordinated enforcement against illegal fishing, which they say continues to undermine government revenues, investment in fisheries and livelihoods for coastal communities.

The summit will run under the theme “One Ocean, One Voice”, with officials saying it reflects the region’s shared dependence on marine resources and the need for joint solutions as pressure on fisheries and ocean ecosystems grows.

Zanzibar’s Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Captain (N) Hamad Bakar Hamad, said the summit is intended to build momentum for practical cooperation in combating illegal fishing.

“Zanzibar is committed to working closely with the neighbors across SWIO to protect our shared ocean space. This Summit gives us a platform to build real momentum in the fight against illegal fishing. Strong regional cooperation is the most effective tool we have,” he said.

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Delegates are expected to advance commitments on information sharing, modernized monitoring and surveillance, and more aligned regulatory frameworks, with the aim of improving coordination and reducing gaps exploited by illegal operators. Governments will also discuss joint action plans, stronger communication channels and consistent enforcement standards across borders, organizers said.

The Jahazi Project spokesperson Michael Mallya said the summit would focus on strengthening African-led ocean governance by improving cooperation among participating countries.

“This Summit signals a new chapter for East African ocean governance. Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar are stepping forward with a clear and united voice. Illegal fishing thrives when systems are disconnected, but cooperation changes the equation,” he said.