Safeguarding Zanzibar’s Blue Future

• Project Duration: 2025–2030
• Lead Organization: Zanzibar Marine Conservation Authority (ZMCA)
• Partner Organizations: WWF-Tanzania, Blue Ventures, University of Dar es Salaam, UNDP, Local Fishermen Associations
• Location: Unguja & Pemba Islands, Zanzibar
• Estimated Total Budget: $28.4 million USD

Project Vision

To transform Zanzibar into a model of sustainable marine stewardship by 2030 through community-driven conservation, blue economy innovation, and climate-resilient ocean governance.

Project Objectives

• Protect: Establish and expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to cover 30% of Zanzibar’s coastal waters by 2030.
• Restore: Regenerate 1,200 hectares of degraded coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows.
• Empower: Build capacity for 10,000 coastal residents through ocean literacy, sustainable fishing, and eco-enterprise training.
• Innovate: Develop a scalable blue economy model that enhances livelihoods without harming marine biodiversity.
• Monitor: Deploy a cutting-edge Ocean Intelligence System (OIS) to monitor climate impacts and inform adaptive policies.

Project Components & Activities

1. Marine Protection & Biodiversity ($8.2M)

• Expand MPAs in collaboration with local communities.
• Install eco-friendly marine boundary markers and surveillance systems.
• Strengthen local enforcement capacity via marine rangers

2. Ecosystem Restoration ($5.4M)

• Coral gardening and artificial reef construction in damaged zones.
• Mangrove reforestation using community nurseries.
• Seagrass transplantation with local women’s cooperatives.

3. Community Engagement & Capacity Building ($4.6M)

• Ocean literacy campaigns in schools and villages.
• Sustainable fishing training with gear exchanges.
• Establish 100 Blue Community Enterprises (e.g., seaweed farming, ecotourism).

4. Blue Economy Development ($6.3M)

• Incubate ocean-friendly startups (aquaculture, bioplastics).
• Microfinance support for women and youth-led marine ventures.
• Sustainable seafood certification and market access programs.

5. Monitoring & Governance ($3.9M)

• Develop the Ocean Intelligence System (OIS) for real-time data.
• Climate adaptation modeling and policy brief development.
• Regional knowledge-sharing forums and international advocacy.

Budget Overview

Expected Impact by 2030

• 30% of Zanzibar’s ocean under effective protection
• 1,200 ha of key ecosystems restored
• 10,000+ residents directly empowered
• 25% increase in sustainable marine-based livelihoods
• Real-time ocean health tracking deployed across both islands

Why Zanzibar? Why Now?

Zanzibar is home to some of the richest marine biodiversity in the Indian Ocean—but it’s under threat. With sea levels rising, fisheries declining, and coral reefs bleaching, the time to act is now. Zanzibar Ocean Action 2030 isn’t just a project—it’s a blueprint for a thriving blue future.