Page 13 - Tanzania Report

Policies and regulations

There are various policies, legislation and plans for different coastal and marine resources in Tanzania.
The Fisher Act No. 6 of 1970, as amended by Act 22 of 2003 covers all the management and control
of the fisheries industry in Tanzania. It addresses the quality management and standards, enforcement
and penalties. The National Fisheries Policy aims at addressing the importance of sustainable fishing Country Profile
and utilization, conservation and management of fisheries resources. The policy advocates for fisheries
communities to engage in fisheries resource management. The policy was developed back in 1997 The Republic of Tanzania
and is currently up for review to address the new emerging challenges and possible opportunities. The
policy also recognizes other regional and international policies.

The fishery regulations of 2005 as amended in 2009, seek to ensure sustainable fishing and utilization
of fishery resources for the present and future generations. Other supporting instruments include
Deep Sea Fishing Authority (DSFA) Act No.3 of 1989 as amended by Act No. 17 of 2007 and
the main objective of this act is management of fishery resources in the Economic Exclusive Zone
of Tanzania. Tanzania in support of its research work in fishery resources established the Tanzania
Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) through Act No. 6 of 1980, to ensure that management decision
on its fishery industry are based on proven scientific research and finding

Others include the National Fisheries Sector and Strategy Statement 1997; Fisheries Act No. 22 of
2003, Marine Park and Reserve Act, No. 29 of 1994, Forest Ordinance, Deep Sea Fishing Authority
Act, amended Act No. 17 of 2007, Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1989, Territorial
and Country Plan Ordinance 1956 Cap 378, National Forest Action Plan 1990/91-2007/8 and the
Management plan for Mangrove ecosystem in Tanzania 1991.

Other fisheries Instruments for the management of fisheries activities in the Exclusive Economic Zones,
Tanzania created an institutional framework known as the Deep Sea Fishing Authority (DSFA) Act No. 3 of
1989 which was amended by Act No. 17 of 2007. Given the fact that fisheries is not governed by the Union,
these initiatives are being undertaken jointly between the Tanzanian Mainland and Zanzibar islands.

Collection and Dissemination of data

The National Fisheries Policy and Strategy statements (1997), the policy was established to ensure
that updated records on fisheries where timely collected and updated on a daily basis to knowledge of
the fisheries resources and also facilitate proper information management in the fisheries sector. The
policy has enabled creation of reliable and timely information which has led to an efficient decision-
making process in the fisheries sector (iwlearnt.net)

Recreational or Sport f?shing
There are a number of fishing sporting activates taking place on the coastal area and management of
these activities is allocated to the Marine Parks and Reserve Unit (Act No 29 of 1994) which governs
the sport fishing activities. The fishing sport may not contribute as much to Tanzania’s GDP however
whether the fishing is conducted in coral reef, open waters or inside marine parks, it has to contribute
to coastal communities living close to the area. If for instance 20% of the funds from sport fishing
is collected it is supposed to be distributed to coastal communities for their livelihood, and 10% to
the Municipality and the remaining 70% to operators (Julius 13 F. and Bryceson I. (2007): Tanzania
Coastal and Marine Resources, IUCN).

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