Africa-Press – Mauritius. 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.
