THE Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has called on stakeholders to invest in the fisheries sector to help Tanzania produce 700,000 tonnes of fish annually, thereby increasing both individual and national income.

The appeal was made at the weekend by the ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr. Edwin Mhede, during a ceremony to launch installation of marker buoys in Lake Victoria to protect fish breeding grounds. The event also included the release of 10,000 fish fingerlings to support national fish stock regeneration.

Dr Mhede said a total of 32 buoys had been installed at the Shadi landing site in Mwanza Region to designate areas where fishing is strictly prohibited in order to protect fish habitats.

“The placement of these buoys in designated fish breeding and nursery zones is a regulatory requirement,” he explained, noting that the initiative is being carried out in collaboration with fisheries officers and key stakeholders in the sector.

He said that Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, had assigned him to oversee the installation of the buoys at Shadi, one of the critical fish breeding areas in Lake Victoria.

As part of the initiative, Dr Mhede also released 10,000 fish fingerlings into the lake. This comes after a previous stocking of over 1.2 million fingerlings in Lake Ikimba, located in Kagera Region.

The deputy permanent secretary warned against any fishing activity in the newly protected zones, stressing that the ministry would not tolerate violations of the regulations safeguarding fish breeding grounds.

He also called on Beach Management Units (BMUs) to remain vigilant and report illegal fishing activities within their jurisdictions.

Highlighting the government’s broader vision, Dr. Mhede said the fisheries sector is part of a national 10-year strategy—from 2022 to 2037—aimed at advancing Tanzania’s blue economy.

Speaking at the same event, the ministry’s Director of Fisheries, Prof. Mohamed Sheikh, said protecting breeding grounds is essential due to growing challenges such as climate change and rising fish demand driven by population growth.

“There are over 100 fish breeding areas in Lake Victoria that require buoy marking, and this work must involve all stakeholders,” he said.

He noted that the buoys installed are of high quality and can last up to 80 years if properly maintained. They were developed by the University of Dar es Salaam to support sustainable fish production in Lake Victoria.

Nyamagana District Commissioner Amina Mkilagi expressed her gratitude to the government for delivering the buoys to Lake Victoria, which she said would enhance fish stocks, combat illegal fishing, and stimulate Mwanza’s economy.