Just a short boat ride from the bustling city of Dar es Salaam lies Mbudya Island, a sanctuary of white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. This idyllic island, often frequented by tourists and city dwellers seeking relaxation and marine adventures, also plays a crucial role in Tanzania's efforts to protect its rich marine biodiversity—a fact known to only a few.

Charlina Vitcheva, Director General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission, visited Mbudya not as a tourist but as part of her broader mission to strengthen the marine governance and fisheries collaboration between Tanzania and the European Union (EU). Her visit was anchored in the 8th Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Oceans, Inland Waters, and Fisheries of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), held on September 11, 2024, in Dar es Salaam. The high-level event, attended by Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, aimed to address pressing ocean conservation challenges and build momentum for the global blue economy.

Mbudya Island, one of Tanzania's 15 Marine Reserves managed by the Marine Parks and Reserves Unit (MPRU), exemplifies the country's dedication to safeguarding marine ecosystems and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. With over 10 million people relying on the coastline for their sustenance, sustainable marine management has never been more critical.

European Union, 2024

During her visit to Mbudya, Ms. Vitcheva praised the efforts of the MPRU and reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting Tanzania's Marine Protected Areas through the EU’s Blue Economy Programme, a 110 M EUR (332 billion TZS) flagship initiative aimed at fostering sustainable growth in marine and coastal ecosystems.

Her visit to Mbudya followed an earlier stop at the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), where she explored the institute’s 40 years of work in fisheries research. TAFIRI has been at the forefront of research aimed at protecting Tanzania's marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable fisheries practices. Ms. Vitcheva viewed exhibitions on the institute’s data collection and research techniques, emphasizing the EU's support for enhancing fish stock assessments, advancing aquaculture research, and transferring cutting-edge technologies to Tanzania.

Innovation also featured in Ms. Vitcheva’s itinerary. She met with several Tanzanian startups selected for the EU’s Blue Invest Africa initiative, which connects innovators with investors to drive sustainable ocean-based solutions. These startups are tackling marine pollution, improving fishing practices, and developing projects that balance economic growth with environmental protection. Ms. Vitcheva underscored the need for public-private partnerships in advancing Tanzania’s blue economy, stressing that innovation and sustainability must go hand in hand.

The pinnacle of Ms. Vitcheva’s visit was participation the OACPS ministerial meeting, where leaders from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific discussed the urgent need for sustainable ocean management.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Vitcheva highlighted the triple planetary crisis facing the world’s oceans—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. She called for multilateral cooperation to tackle these challenges and pointed to the Samoa Agreement as a key framework for promoting sustainable development in the blue economy.

European Union, 2024

On the sidelines of the conference, Ms. Vitcheva met with Tanzania's Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega.

In their bilateral meeting, the two leaders discussed expanding cold chain infrastructure to reduce post-catch losses, improving fish stock assessments for better fisheries management, and combating illegal fishing through enhanced surveillance.

They also explored marine spatial planning to balance economic growth with ecosystem protection, as well as opportunities for sustainable aquaculture development through public-private partnerships.