Driving Industrial and Inclusive Economic Transformation: Financing, Innovation and Sustainable Growth in Agricultural and Blue Economy Value Chains|Fisheries and Aquaculture[...]

Aquatic Food systems are a core element of a Blue Economy Agenda. They provide essential micronutrients, omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality proteins critical for healthy diets. In Africa for example, aquatic animal foods contribute around 19 percent of animal protein availability.

Tanzania's productive inland waters and ample coastline mean that aquatic foods both feed the nation and generate sustainable livelihoods. Tanzania is the world's sixth largest producer of inland capture fisheries with around 440 000 tonnes/year. It is also the world's third largest producer of farmed seaweed (132 200 tonnes, 5.5 percent). It has ample Blue Economy opportunities for marine and inland capture fisheries, as well as aquaculture, across its territory, many already in operation.

Given this potential and the Government of Tanzania's commitment to the sector, Tanzania works closely with FAO to advance Blue Transformation by supporting the sustainable expansion of its aquaculture sector, strengthening the effective management of all its fisheries and the upgrading of its sectoral value chains. These efforts aim to maximize the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and economic growth, in line with national priorities and FAO's Blue Transformation agenda.

FAO and its partners are working with the Government of Tanzania across a wide range of projects and interventions in the sector. In fact, over the past five years, Tanzania has received more direct technical assistance from FAO on aquatic food systems than any other country. It has become both a leader and an example of partnership and commitment to developing its fisheries and aquaculture - and it must continue to place the sector at the very top of its Blue Economy agenda.

FAO and Tanzania have worked together under the EU and Germany-funded Fish4ACP project. The project has focused on strengthening Lake Tanganyika's fish value chains that support around 27 000 fishers and 11 000 fish processors. This includes the 850 women, that received directly support to improve fish processing, handling practices, and business skills. The project also supported fisheries management and improved knowledge of the size of fish stocks in the lake, alongside updated regulations for the sector.

Much of Fish4ACP's work focuses on small-scale fisheries, which must remain central as in the rush to deliver a Blue Economy. Tanzania has been a global leader and role model in this area, becoming the first country in the world to develop a National Plan of Action to implement the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines), which it did for both the mainland and Zanzibar.

To ensure that women's role in the Blue Economy is recognized and fully supported, Tanzania established a gender desk in the Ministry of Fisheries and, with FAO's support, strengthened the Tanzania Women Fish-Workers Association (TAWFA). Women from TAWFA also received training on Village Savings and Loan Associations and Village Community Banks, helping improve financial awareness and access to finance so communities can invest in and lead development in their own regions.

This close collaboration has also included interventions to help Tanzania combat Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, implement the Port State Measures Agreement, and work with the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to improve the state of tuna stocks in the Indian Ocean.

However, even improving fisheries to their maximum potential cannot satisfy the rising demand for aquatic foods. The growth of sustainable aquaculture is key to enhance supply and generate employment. Recently, FAO also partnered with the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), WorldFish on the EU-funded TRUE-FISH project to enhance aquaculture development through training in risk analysis and aquatic animal health in the Lake Victoria Basin.

FAO and Tanzania are also partnering in two projects to strengthen seaweed farming - a key source of income for coastal communities. These interventions strengthen biosecurity, productivity and resilience, contributing to sustainable expansion of aquaculture.

This development requires access to clean, sustainable energy that can underpin the growth of the aquaculture sector and ensure the sustainability of Tanzania's aquatic food value chains.

As we talk today about the potential for a Blue Economy in Tanzania and the transformation of its value chains, I would like to close with three critical messages:

People's livelihoods and food security must be at the centre of a Blue Economy strategy.

Decisions must be based on best data available and scientific evidence, while taking into account their socioeconomic and environmental impacts.

FAO will continue to strengthen national capacities on data collection, statistics, monitoring and evidence-based decision making to support the sustainable development and conservation of aquatic food systems.