Tanzania is stepping up its marine research and data collection efforts to tap into the potential of its blue economy and safeguard its coastal ecosystems against the impacts of climate change. The initiative was highlighted during a recent port tour of the international research vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen at the Port of Dar es Salaam. The vessel is operating under the EAF-Nansen Programme, a joint initiative involving Norway, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and partner nations.
The EAF-Nansen Programme aims to promote science-based fisheries management and sustainable use of marine resources. During the port tour, the Royal Norwegian Embassy emphasized the importance of the programme in advancing a sustainable blue economy under a changing climate. The programme has enabled Tanzania to work with researchers from other African countries and gain knowledge on marine ecosystems beyond its waters.
The Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) Director General, Dr Ismael Kimirei, highlighted the significance of vessel-based studies in yielding vital data on fish populations, water quality, seabed conditions, and climate stressors such as ocean acidification and shifting temperatures. He noted that scientific research provides the data needed to understand the abundance and distribution of fish and other marine resources.
The research aboard the vessel has generated information on fish populations, water quality, marine vegetation, and seabed conditions, as well as climate-related factors such as water temperature and ocean acidification. Dr Kimirei emphasized that this research is crucial for informing policies on the management of marine resources and developing plans for the proper use of the ocean.
The research has also helped build national scientific capacity, with researchers from TAFIRI, universities, and other institutions participating in the research aboard the vessel. Dr Kimirei noted that this is how Tanzania builds capacity, particularly as it moves towards 2050 under its Vision, with science driving the wheel of development.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice-President (Union and Environment), Dr Latifa Mohammed Khamis, acknowledged the economic potential of the ocean and noted that the government had established institutions dedicated to the blue economy. She also highlighted the programme's role in enabling Tanzania to work with researchers from other African countries.
Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, Tone Tinnes, reaffirmed Norway's commitment to cooperating with Tanzania in marine research, climate action, and sustainable blue economy development. The collaboration aims to support science-based management of fisheries and marine resources, ultimately contributing to a sustainable blue economy.
Key points
- Tanzania is ramping up marine research to harness its blue economy potential and protect coastal ecosystems from climate change.
- The EAF-Nansen Programme is a joint initiative involving Norway, the FAO, and partner nations to promote science-based fisheries management.
- The research aims to provide data for informed policies on marine resource management and sustainable use of the ocean.
