In the same year, the country exported fish and fisheries products
worth 230.01bn/-, (US$176,797.8 million).
However, the government earned Sh5.866 billion in revenue.
The export seems to drop from
the average fish and fishery product exports from Tanzania during five years
from 2005 to 2010 which was US$195.17 million.
Briefing journalists after the launch of the 16th bi-annual conference
on economics of sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and seafood business, the
deputy minister for Livestock and Fisheries Development, Mr Benedict Ole
Nangoro, said the 5. 87bn/- revenue was according to official records.
Mr Nangoro said the fishing industry in the country is yet to
contribute adequately to the national economy, given that its annual
contribution is 1.5 per cent of the GDP.
We can earn more from fishing if we transform the sector through
employment of modern technology,” said Mr Nangoro
During the past five years, the fishing sector has been contributing
between 1.6 and 3.1 per cent to the economy, which is too low given that the
country has high fishing potential.
Despite having marine water cover of 64,000 square km including the
Indian Ocean and the exclusive economic zone which covers 223,000 square km,
the EEZ is yet to be fully exploited.“Poor fishing facilities, limited
financial resources, lack of relevant technological skills prevent the country
from benefiting from fishing,” said Mr Nangoro
He was optimistic that the county will soon boost the performance of
the fishing industry, citing the National Aquaculture Development Strategy
(NADS) that aims at making the country practice fish farming for economic
advantages.The government is to enhance commercial fish farming in order to
benefit nearly 4 million people in Tanzania who engage in fishing related
activities.
University of Dar es Salaam Prof Yunus Mgaya, who chaired the steering
committee of the event, described it as of great importance to the country as
it brought together various fishing stakeholders, experts and institutions from
Africa.
“We need to find solutions to problems facing fishing industry. We need
to do more research, involve policy makers, experts and the government has to
offer its support for the sustainable development,” said Prof Mgaya.
Asked why fishing industry is yet to transform fishermen in the
country, the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute director general, Dr
Benjamin Ngatunga, said the country still treats fishing not for economic
advantage.
“We need to re-define our mindset towards fishing , treat it as natural
resources that needs scientific advice for sustainable development,” said Dr
Ngatunga
He noted that there is more pressure on fish markets in the country and
abroad, leading to over fishing without introducing new species to perpetuate
breeding.Dr Ngatunga said to overcome the pressure, there should be relevant
policies and laws, research, relevant technology to Tanzania and intensive
investment in the area to meet the growing demands.
He warned that prohibiting fishing in some water bodies as the way to
perpetuate reproduction of fish does not provide the solution, but only
research that focuses on introducing new species.
“Israel decided to do the research which took 10 years and resulted in
a fish called ‘gift’ sangara in Kiswahili which weighs two to three kilogrammes
after attaining a year, “said Dr Ngatunga.
Source: The Citizen,http://www.thecitizen.co.tz, reported by Felix Lazaro
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