Tanzania leads regional ocean conservation drive

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA is set to take a leading role in shaping regional efforts to protect the Western Indian Ocean, attract investment in the blue economy and strengthen cooperation on marine conservation when it hosts a major international conference in Dar es Salaam this week.

The 12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Nairobi Convention, scheduled for October 6-9, is expected to bring together representatives from 10 contracting parties to agree on joint action to address marine pollution, illegal fishing, climate change and degradation of coastal ecosystems.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to officially open the conference, while Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi is expected to officiate at its closing.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Minister of State in the VicePresident’s Office (Union and Environment), Engineer Hamad Masauni, said Tanzania expects the conference to strengthen regional cooperation and generate joint action to protect the ocean, combat illegal fishing, address ecosystem degradation and respond to climate change.

He said hosting COP12 would also provide Tanzania with an opportunity to strengthen its environmental diplomacy and increase its influence on marine and coastal issues at regional and international levels.

“Given the honour of hosting COP12, the country expects the meeting to strengthen its environmental diplomacy and increase its influence on marine and coastal environmental issues at regional and international levels, while securing joint commitments and action to protect the ocean, combat illegal fishing, address ecosystem degradation and tackle the impacts of climate change,” he said.

The conference will be held under the theme: “Towards a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Western Indian Ocean for People and Nature: A 40-Year Journey.” Eng Masauni said the meeting is expected to produce the Dar es Salaam Declaration, which will reinforce regional cooperation on the sustainable blue economy.

He said key issues on the agenda include marine and coastal pollution from land- and sea-based activities, regional cooperation in conservation and management of marine ecosystems, climate change resilience and protection of marine biodiversity.

The conference will also examine opportunities in the sustainable blue economy, including sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism and maritime transport, while promoting investment that takes environmental considerations into account. Eng Masauni said Tanzania also expects the meeting to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation, including the use of Marine Spatial Planning in decision-making based on scientific evidence.

“The conference is further expected to contribute to common regional positions on international issues such as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, which addresses the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction,” he said.

Among the expected outcomes, Eng Masauni said, are the adoption of decisions by the Conference of Parties, a Joint Ministerial Declaration and the election of the leadership council for the 2026-2028 period. He said the conference would also create opportunities for Tanzania and other countries in the region to attract finance, technology and environmentally responsible investment for marine and coastal conservation, climate action, pollution control and blue economy projects.

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“These opportunities include sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, maritime transport and investments that take environmental protection into account,” he said.

Eng Masauni said implementation of the Nairobi Convention had contributed to increased community awareness of the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources, improved livelihoods among fishing communities and greater involvement of communities in mangrove restoration and conservation.

He cited mangrove restoration in the Rufiji Delta as one of the initiatives supporting the protection of fish breeding grounds, reducing coastal erosion and conserving resources relied upon by coastal communities.

“Efforts to reduce plastic waste, wastewater and other sources of marine pollution had contributed to improved marine and coastal environments,” he said.

The Nairobi Convention, administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), brings together 10 contracting parties: Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and South Africa to promote sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. It provides a platform for governments, civil society and the private sector to collaborate on protecting and sustainably managing marine and coastal resources.

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