Coastal Mariculture: Status, challenges , and future perspectives of Milkfish (Chanos chanos) farming in Tanzania

Abstract

An investigative field survey was performed from October to November 2023 at nine villages within five districts in four selected regions, aimed to assess the status, challenges, and future perspectives of coastal mariculture development along the coastline in Mainland Tanzania. During this study, both purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used. A structured questionnaire forms were used as an assessment tool to gather fish farmers’s information, followed by a focussed group discussion and key informants’ interviews with government officials. A total of 162 fish farmers, government officials and animal feed sellers were assessed. Demographic data indicated that most farmers were male accounting for 67.9% and females (32.5), aged between between 20 and 40 years old (56.8%), with primary education level, accounted for 82.7%. On the other hand, milkfish were mostly stocked at 2-3 fish/m2 in an earthen pond system, and under monoculture were mostly fed local feed ingredients (88%). The study showed that three major income-generating activities: Milkfish (85%), crab fattening (12%), tilapia (2%), and sea cucumber (1%) were practiced along the coast to support blue economy initiatives. Additionally, the results indicated that government subsidies (89), farm inputs (81%), and capital investment were the major challenges that constrained milkfish development along the coastline of mainland Tanzania. Further, current data indicated that milkfish farming is solely practiced at the subsistence level and needs a scale-up to sustain the blue economy. The present study highlighted the status, challenges, and plan for the future development of coastal mariculture in Tanzania.