Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu project successfully launched in Zanzibar.

Mjini Magharibi, Zanzibar – 30th April 2025 – The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in collaboration with the European Union Delegation to Tanzania and with the support of the Office of the Regional Commissioner for Mjini Magharibi, has launched the Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu (Together we conserve our ocean) project, aimed at enhancing environmental protection and biodiversity conservation of Tanzania’s coastal and marine ecosystems. The project will be implemented across six regions—Mtwara, Lindi, Coast, and Dar es Salaam in Mainland Tanzania, and North and South Unguja in Zanzibar—and targets reaching over 500,000 individuals. Key interventions include the creation of at least 360 blue and green entrepreneurs, support for 15 innovative plastic waste ventures, restoration of degraded ecosystems, and establishment and operationalization of the Mtwara and Unguja seascapes as governance mechanisms for improved conservation. The project will also strengthen compliance and law enforcement capacities at district and national levels through technical assistance and provision of advanced surveillance technologies, while offering PhD scholarships to promote innovation in marine and coastal ecosystem conservation. 

Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu is funded by the European Union Delegation to Tanzania and the East Africa Community with a total of 11 million Euro through the ‘Blue Economy for job creation and climate change adaptation. 

Speaking during the launch, Mr. Charles Oluchina, Country Representative for IUCN in Tanzania, highlighted why IUCN is proactive in leading this project. Noting that “Despite the invaluable benefits the ocean provides to the planet, it is being faced by significant threats that if not controlled will result in the loss of biodiversity and other values we receive from the ocean.  IUCN envisages that this project’s interventions will contribute to the existing initiatives geared towards conserving the coastal and marine ecosystems in Tanzania." 

The European Union delegation to Tanzania was represented by Mr. Marc Stalmans, Head of Development Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania and the East African Community on his remarks he underscored that the European Union remains among global leaders in funding biodiversity conservation. “We as European Union in general are pledging 20 billion euros per year on conservation and biodiversity.” He also emphasized that the EU’s biodiversity conservation strategy 2030 is aligning with what Tanzania’s vision 2050 for attaining middle income country—with rich biodiversity—is aiming at.

Mr. Zahor El Kharousy, representing Ministry of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Zanzibar brought out the government’s remarks for the project:

Projects like Bahari Yetu align perfectly with our national agenda, and we commend this initiative for its community-driven, inclusive, and environmentally-sound approach. It further contributes to the implementations of the Government coastal and marine conservation policies and guidelines through spearheading the marine and coastal resource management, embracing community-based conservation and co-management, promoting environmental education and awareness, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. 

Adding on that from the mainland’s Vice President’s office – Union and Environment affairs, Dr Semvua Mzighani, Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, stressed that “We particularly appreciate the project’s focus on community-led approaches, capacity building, and ecosystem-based management. These are key principles that guide our work in fisheries development across both small-scale and industrial sectors.

The launch event was attended by the project’s implementing partners; The Nature Conservancy (TNC), WWF Tanzania, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Tanzania and Forum CC. The event also had relevant stakeholders and partners in the sector including, ZAFIRI, Vice President’s Office – Union and Environment affairs, TAFIRI, District Commissioners from Mtwara, Kilwa, Mafia, and Unguja Kaskazini A and B. 

This project will be implemented with close collaboration with local governments, partner organisations, the private sector and its associations, and local communities in identified areas.

About IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Through its work, IUCN helps societies conserve nature and ensure that natural resources are used sustainably and equitably.

About European Union’s Blue Economy for Job Creation

Team Europe initiative bringing together Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Sweden and the EIB, AFD and KfW. The programme supports the design and governance of Blue Economy policies and regulations; spurs investments in key infrastructures and innovative business ecosystems; promotes circular economy, climate adaptation and access to green finance for actors of the local government and communities. It will help to unlock the potential of the ocean and coastal economies (e.g. in fisheries/mariculture, forestry, renewable energies and eco-tourism sectors) while preserving the environment and biodiversity for climate and disaster resilience. The project will help generate jobs and growth and deliver on Tanzania’s climate change commitments.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Catherine Kayombo

Communications Officer – IUCN Tanzania

[email protected]
+255 624 116 711