Tanzania loses Sh15.16 billion each year due to illegal fishing and unregistered vessels, revealed in a PAC report. Key issues include poor data collection and management, particularly in underregulated regions. The government aims to enhance fishing resource oversight via the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and PO-RALG, addressing significant revenue losses and promoting sustainable practices.
Tanzania experiences an annual loss of approximately Sh15.16 billion attributed to illegal fishing practices, a high number of unregistered vessels, and a deficiency in reliable fishing data. The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) disclosed these figures during the presentation of its 2024 report, highlighting the oversight in vessel registration and coordination of fishing activities. The audit, covering fiscal years 2018/19 to 2022/23, aimed to assess fishing resource management and detected significant issues affecting government revenue.
Ms. Naghenjwa Kaboyoka, the PAC Chairperson, identified various shortcomings in the management of Tanzania’s fishing resources, including unlicensed operations and immature fish captures. Furthermore, she pointed to the lack of seasonal regulations and inadequate enforcement patrols aimed at preventing illegal fishing activities. The absence of accurate fishing statistics stems largely from the prevalence of unregistered vessels, influencing the revenue losses of Sh15.16 billion from associated licensing fees.
Regions with better infrastructure, such as Dar es Salaam, see an annual loss of about Sh500 million, while areas like Mwanza and Kigoma face even greater losses due to their infrastructural challenges. The government is working to bolster the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, as well as the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), to remedy these issues. These agencies are expected to manage illegal fishing and endorse sustainable practices.
The audit highlighted the significant percentage of unregistered fishing vessels in key water bodies. Notably, Lake Victoria had 67% unregistered vessels, followed closely by Lake Tanganyika at 61%, and the Indian Ocean at 42%. A critical factor in revenue loss is the ineffective management of Beach Management Units (BMUs), with significant percentages of Lake Tanganyika and the Indian Ocean lacking adequate oversight.
Consumption of undersized fish, especially in coastal markets, remains problematic, despite a decline in lakes. The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries collects data from less than 10% of Lake Victoria’s landing sites, largely due to insufficient research funding. This reliance on estimates rather than robust data complicates policy formulation and operational planning within the sector.
Coordination among the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Local Government Authorities (LGAs), and the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (Tafiri) has been inadequate, hampering effective governance of fishing activities. By December 2024, a response to the audit recommendations indicated progress, albeit some recommendations remain unimplemented. Continued challenges, including misuse of legally purchased nets, highlight the need for stronger enforcement measures to protect the fishing industry and promote food security.
Tanzania’s fishing industry is significantly undermined by illegal fishing, unregistered vessels, and insufficient data management, leading to substantial annual revenue losses. The government has recognized these issues and is taking steps to enhance regulation and monitoring through collaboration with key agencies. Moving forward, effective management and enforcement strategies will be crucial in restoring the integrity of Tanzania’s fisheries and securing sustainable practices.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
