MWE Correspondent
Dar es Salaam will host a high-level forum on September 1, 2025, aimed at addressing the growing threat of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in East African waters.
The Blue Voices Roundtable will bring together government officials, regional organizations, researchers, NGOs, community leaders, and private-sector stakeholders both in person and virtually, running from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EAT.
East Africa’s coastline stretches over 4,600 kilometres and sustains the livelihoods of more than three million people through fisheries. Yet illegal fishing continues to undermine the region’s economy and marine biodiversity. In Tanzania, unregulated fishing is estimated to cost the country about US$142.8 million each year, while in Kenya, nearly 30 to 40 percent of the national fish harvest comes from unregulated sources. Overall, IUU fishing drains East Africa’s economy of more than US$415 million annually, threatening food security and the wellbeing of coastal communities. (IUU fishing overview)
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“This is more than an economic issue; it is about protecting our people and our marine resources,” said Michael Mallya, spokesperson for the organizing initiative. “Illegal fishing is a direct threat to livelihoods, national sovereignty, and sustainable development. We must act collectively to defend our waters.”
The forum will focus on collaborative strategies, including technological monitoring tools, community-led conservation, legal enforcement, and improved traceability and licensing. The goal is to produce a regional action plan that strengthens enforcement and safeguards fisheries. These efforts align with the Port State Measures Agreement, an international treaty empowering nations to deny port access to vessels engaged in illegal fishing. (Port State Measures Agreement)
Experts also emphasize the wider implications of IUU fishing on marine biodiversity and economic stability across East Africa. The forum represents a critical step toward ensuring sustainable management of the region’s fisheries, securing food supplies, and protecting the livelihoods of coastal populations. (East African fisheries)
