Marine research to unlock blue economy potentia

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA is ramping up marine research and data collection to harness its blue economy and safeguard coastal ecosystems against climate change, officials said during a port tour of the international research vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen.

Hosting the visit at the Port of Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, the Royal Norwegian Embassy highlighted the vessel’s operations under the EAFNansen Programme, a joint initiative involving Norway, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and partner nations to promote science-based fisheries management.

Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) Director General Dr Ismael Kimirei said vessel-based studies yield vital data on fish populations, water quality, seabed conditions, and climate stressors such as ocean acidification and shifting temperatures.

The visit highlighted the role of science, research and innovation in advancing a sustainable blue economy under a changing climate.

The vessel operates under the EAF-Nansen Programme, a partnership between Norway, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and partner countries to support science-based management of fisheries and marine resources.

Dr Kimirei said scientific research provided data needed to understand the abundance and distribution of fish and other marine resources, assess changes in ocean conditions and guide policies on sustainable use.

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He said research aboard the vessel generated information on fish populations, water quality, marine vegetation and seabed conditions, as well as climaterelated factors such as water temperature and ocean acidification.

“This research is very important because the data collected are used in policies for the management of marine resources and in developing plans for the proper use of the ocean,” he said.

He said researchers from TAFIRI, universities and other institutions had participated in research aboard the vessel, helping build national scientific capacity.

“This is how we build capacity, particularly as we move towards 2050 under our Vision. Science will be what drives the wheel of development towards Vision 2050,” he said.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Office of the VicePresident (Union and Environment), Dr Latifa Mohammed Khamis, said the programme enabled Tanzania to work with researchers from other African countries and gain knowledge on marine ecosystems beyond its waters.

She said the government recognised the economic potential of the ocean and had established institutions dedicated to the blue economy.

Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania Tone Tinnes said Norway remained committed to cooperating with Tanzania in marine research, climate action and sustainable blue economy development.

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