Zanzibar to host summit against illegal fishing in South West Indian Ocean

Aeriel view of Stone Town, Zanzibar/HANDOUT

Zanzibar is set to host a summit bringing together delegations
from Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania and Zanzibar in the fight against illegal,
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in South West Indian Ocean.

The Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar said
it will co-host the Blue Voices Regional Summit 2026 on January 26-28 with The
Jahazi Project, in partnership with Ascending Africa. 

Organisers said the meeting will focus on improving
cross-border enforcement through information sharing, modernised monitoring and
surveillance, and more aligned regulatory frameworks.

The summit will run under the theme “One Ocean, One Voice”,
which organisers said is intended to push a unified regional approach to ocean
governance and fisheries protection.

“Zanzibar is committed to working closely with the
neighbours across SWIO to protect our shared ocean space,” said Captain (N)
Hamad Bakar Hamad, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Blue Economy and
Fisheries.

Hamad added that the summit is aimed at building momentum in
the fight against illegal fishing.

Organisers said the discussions are expected to produce
joint action plans, strengthen communication channels between agencies, and
promote consistent enforcement standards across borders—measures they say can
reduce gaps exploited by IUU fishing operators.

Michael Mallya, spokesperson for The Jahazi Project, said
illegal fishing persists where enforcement systems remain fragmented and data
is not shared effectively between countries.

“This Summit signals a new chapter for East African ocean
governance,” Mallya said, adding that cooperation among Kenya, Mauritius,
Tanzania and Zanzibar would be central to improving enforcement.

The Jahazi Project is a regional initiative led by Ascending
Africa, focusing on blue economy development and long-term sustainability of
marine resources, with IUU fishing listed as a key threat to coastal
livelihoods and ecosystems. Ascending Africa describes itself as a pan-African
organisation working on environmental preservation, community empowerment and
economic growth.

Zanzibar said its Blue Economy Policy positions the ocean as
a pillar of livelihoods and regional stability, and that the summit is part of
broader efforts to strengthen ocean governance through regional collaboration.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing threatens
ecosystems and livelihoods in the South West Indian Ocean. 

Distant-water fleets and local operators exploit weak
monitoring, targeting tuna, sharks, and reef species. 

IUU fishing depletes stocks, damages habitats, and
undermines food security for coastal communities in East Africa and island
states. 

It also robs governments of revenue and fuels labor abuses
at sea. Limited patrol capacity, vast waters, and complex transshipment enable
evasion. 

Regional cooperation, satellite tracking, port state
measures, and community surveillance are improving enforcement, but sustained
investment, transparency, and fair fisheries management are essential for
recovery across the region long term.