Tanzania’s coastal fisheries, once among the richest in the world, are now under significant threat from widespread illegal fishing. Along the coastline near Dar es Salaam, in areas like Mkuranga, Rufiji, and parts of Zanzibar, foreign and local vessels exploit Tanzania’s waters through unlicensed fishing, underreporting catches, and using destructive gear.

• Declining Fish Stocks: Fishers from local villages report increasingly smaller catches and the disappearance of species that were once abundant. This directly threatens food security for coastal communities.
• Destructive Practices: The use of illegal techniques—like small-mesh nets, dynamite fishing, and unregulated trawling—has caused extensive damage to coral reefs and seagrass beds, which serve as breeding grounds for fish.
• Enforcement Challenges: Patrol boats and marine enforcement units are often underfunded and poorly equipped. As a result, illegal vessels operate with impunity, especially in remote or poorly monitored areas.
• Social Impact: Many artisanal fishers, who rely entirely on the ocean for their livelihoods, are pushed into deeper and riskier waters to compete with illegal operators, increasing both personal danger and operational costs.