Inclusive Blue Economy in Action: Lessons from Zanzibar’s Bahari Mali Project
For the coastal communities of Pemba Island, the ocean is more than a scenic backdrop; it is a lifeline. However, as climate change and overfishing threaten traditional livelihoods, the need for a “blue” transition—one that is both sustainable and inclusive—has never been more urgent.
The Bahari Mali Project (“Wealth of the Ocean”) recently concluded a high-level field mission featuring the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries (MoBEF) and the Embassy of Ireland. The mission highlighted a fundamental lesson: the blue economy only works when local communities are its primary architects and beneficiaries.
1. Moving Beyond Raw Commodities: The Power of Value Addition
One of the standout successes of Bahari Mali is the shift from harvesting raw materials to creating finished goods. In the Micheweni District, the Tumaini Cooperative showcased how seaweed—traditionally sold for low prices as a raw export—can be transformed into high-value soaps, oils, and cosmetics.
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The Lesson: By providing technical training and equipment, the project empowered women-led groups to increase their household income significantly. Entrepreneurship allows communities to earn more while harvesting less, reducing the biological pressure on marine ecosystems.
2. Women as Leaders of the Blue Economy
Inclusivity is not just a buzzword in Bahari Mali; it is a statistical reality. Over 60% of the project’s 408 direct beneficiaries are women.
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The Impact: Through the Blue Economy Incubator, women have moved into leadership roles within Sustainable Fisheries Committees (SFCs) and Beach Management Units (BMUs). In Pemba, women are now leading mangrove restoration efforts and managing beekeeping initiatives in coastal forests, proving that gender equity is a prerequisite for effective conservation.
3. Integrated Conservation: Beekeeping and Mangroves
The project demonstrated that the “Blue Economy” extends to the shore. By linking mangrove restoration with beekeeping, the project created a dual-incentive system.
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The Synergy: Communities protect mangrove forests because they provide the nectar for high-quality “mangrove honey.” This creates a “regenerative” cycle: healthy forests lead to better honey yields and more resilient fish nurseries, which in turn support local fisheries.
4. Strengthening Governance from the Ground Up
A critical lesson from Bahari Mali is that policy must be matched by “community ownership.” The project supported 22 governance institutions (BMUs and SFCs) in developing their own by-laws and management plans.
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The Result: The establishment of the Tanga–Pemba Multi-Stakeholder Forum created a bridge between local fishers and government regulators. When communities write the rules, they are far more likely to enforce them, leading to a measurable reduction in illegal fishing practices.
5. Innovation through Integrated Aquaculture
The project introduced Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), a method where multiple species (such as sea cucumbers and seaweed) are farmed together.
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The Benefit: This mimicry of natural ecosystems reduces waste and diversifies income streams. If one crop fails due to temperature changes, another can provide a safety net, enhancing the climate resilience of the entire village.
The Path Forward
As the Bahari Mali Project enters its final evaluation phase in 2026, its legacy is clear. It has moved the blue economy from a high-level policy concept into a tangible reality for thousands of people in Zanzibar.
By linking income generation directly to ecosystem health, the project has proven that the “Wealth of the Ocean” is best preserved when it is equitably shared. For other coastal nations looking to meet global biodiversity and climate goals, the lessons from the Tanga–Pemba seascape offer a hopeful and practical roadmap.
Based on reports from the IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Zanzibar.
