Dar es Salaam. The government has signed an agreement with the owner of fishing trawlers to boost fishing technology that could see Tanzania winning the lucrative American market for tuna.
The agreement between Tanzania’s Deep Sea Fisheries Authority (DSFA) and Biostar seeks to promote the use of an Electronic Monitoring (EM) system in Tanzania’s deep sea waters in the fishing of tuna and other fish species.
The agreement is part of the implementation of a pilot project on the use of the system to gather real-time data on deep-sea fishing activities. The three-year project is funded by USAID and led by DSFA to promote sustainable fishing practices.
Presenting the budget for 2024/25 recently, the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Abdallah Ulega, said there is little investment in the deep sea fishing and the processing of fishing products, affecting the sector’s contribution to the economy.
The revenue contribution of deep-sea fishing increased to Sh9.7 billion in 2023 from Sh6.8 billion previously, according to the budget speech.
“The improvement of the collections was due to the increase in deep sea fishing licenses and the specific efforts made by the government including holding strategic negotiations with ship owners and the presence of a friendly environment for investment,” he said, as he requested the parliament to endorse the ministry’s Sh460.333 billion budget.
Tuna is one of the most consumed fish in the world, especially in America, but Tanzanian fishermen have struggled to explore the market due to lack of an EM system which buyers demand to see the entire process from harvesting to market.
Speaking after the agreement, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries in Zanzibar, Mr Zahor Kassim El-Kharousy, said the agreement demonstrates the government’s commitment to enhancing the fishing industry and the blue economy. The technology will continuously monitor sea activities, helping to curb illegal fishing.
“This agreement is highly significant for the sector, particularly the blue economy because one of the main challenges has been the lack of technology to track trawlers in the deep sea. Many international consumers want to see the entire process of fishing,” Mr El-Kharousy said.
He stressed that the project sends a clear message to the world about the country’s dedication to combating illegal fishing and other crimes in the deep-sea, such as human trafficking and drug smuggling.
For his part, the owner of Biostar fishing trawlers, Mr Machwa Kagoswe, stated that the technology will allow them to expand their markets, enabling the sale of tuna fish to large markets like the United States which is one of the largest consumers in the world.
“We usually sell tuna in the Asian markets as we fail to penetrate the American market due to lack of EM systems,” he said.
He said his company exports 100 tonnes of tuna every two months.
“We expect that in three years, the market will expand and demand will increase, leading to higher prices. Consequently, fishermen will get more profit and the sector will develop. If your vessel lacks cameras, even processing factories will refuse to buy fish. Therefore this project is highly beneficial for us,” he said.
On the other hand, DSFA director general, Dr Emmanuel Sweke, said the agreement will help to gain experience on how to use the technology and be able to advise the government on the best way to manage fishing on the deep sea.
He said there are currently three native ships doing fishing activities on the high seas, but the success of the project will help to attract more private sector investment.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
