By The Respondent Reporter
The launch of the Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu (Let’s Conserve Our Ocean Together) project represents a significant step in Tanzania's journey toward building a sustainable, climate-resilient blue economy.
Funded by the European Union under its Blue Economy for Job Creation and Climate Change Adaptation programme, this €11 million initiative aims to safeguard Tanzania's marine biodiversity while driving socio-economic development in its coastal communities.
During the launch event, Mr. Charles Oluchina, the IUCN’s country representative in Tanzania, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Despite the invaluable benefits the ocean provides to the planet, it is faced with significant threats. If these threats are not controlled, we risk the loss of biodiversity and the many other essential values we derive from the ocean.”
The project will be implemented in Mtwara, Lindi, Coast, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar's Unguja regions, benefiting over 500,000 people.
Its goals are ambitious yet essential: the creation of 360 blue and green entrepreneurs, the establishment of 15 innovation ventures focusing on plastic waste management, and a 10% increase in marine and coastal areas under formal protection or sustainable management.
In addition, the project seeks to stimulate a 10% rise in investments in the circular economy, promoting resource efficiency and fostering long-term environmental resilience.
As Mr. Marc Stalmans, Head of Development Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Tanzania, put it, “We, as the European Union, are pledging €20 billion per year for conservation and biodiversity, and this project perfectly aligns with our Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
It supports Tanzania’s Vision 2050 and its commitment to becoming a middle-income country while preserving its rich biodiversity.”
A central component of the project’s strategy is its multilevel collaboration. This includes partnerships between international organizations like IUCN, WWF, and The Nature Conservancy, and local authorities from Tanzania’s coastal regions.
Mr. Zahor El Kharousy, representing Zanzibar’s Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, expressed his support, stating, “Projects like Bahari Yetu align perfectly with our national agenda, especially in managing marine and coastal resources, embracing community-based conservation, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.”
This approach ensures that conservation efforts are deeply embedded in the local context, empowering communities to actively participate in marine stewardship.
The project also directly supports Tanzania's Vision 2050, which aims to balance economic growth with environmental preservation.
Dr. Semvua Mzighani, representing Tanzania’s Vice President’s Office, highlighted the project's alignment with national priorities, emphasizing, “We particularly appreciate the project’s focus on community-led approaches, capacity building, and ecosystem-based management. These are key principles that guide our work in fisheries development.”
However, the project faces challenges in terms of institutional capacity, community engagement, and financial sustainability.
The successful transition of traditional livelihoods to more sustainable practices, the management of marine protected areas, and securing long-term investments in the circular economy are all areas that will require careful attention.
In this regard, Mr. Oluchina expressed cautious optimism, saying, “This project is not just about conservation, but about creating opportunities that will benefit local communities for years to come, ensuring that they are both stewards and beneficiaries of marine resources.”
The EU’s broader commitment to biodiversity and climate adaptation, with an annual pledge of €20 billion, underscores the strategic importance of this project not only for Tanzania but for the entire region.
Mr. Stalmans further affirmed this global commitment, adding, “We are working with Tanzania not just to preserve its marine environment, but to create a model of sustainable development that can be replicated across Africa's coastal nations.”
If the project is successful, it has the potential to serve as a regional benchmark, showcasing how marine conservation can be integrated into broader economic development agendas.
This initiative, grounded in community involvement, innovation, and sustainable entrepreneurship, could become a model for other coastal nations facing similar challenges in protecting their marine ecosystems while ensuring the well-being of their coastal populations.
The collaborative effort and shared commitment of stakeholders are crucial in ensuring that the project not only protects marine biodiversity but also generates lasting economic opportunities for Tanzania’s vulnerable coastal communities.