Aquaculture & Fisheries

The fisheries sector contributed 1.7% to GDP in FY 2024/2025 and supports approximately six million Tanzanians across its value chain.^[1]

Tanzania's aquaculture and fisheries industry draws on a 1,424-kilometer coastline and 61,500 square kilometers of freshwater resources, covering roughly 6.5% of the country's total land area.^[3]

The country's fishery footprint includes nearly half of Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, 800 kilometers of shoreline on Lake Nyasa, and major rivers such as the Rufiji, positioning Tanzania as one of Africa's most water-endowed fisheries jurisdictions.

Sector Contribution and Employment

The fisheries sector contributed 1.7% to GDP in FY 2024/2025.^[1]

The value chain provides livelihoods for about six million Tanzanians.

Agriculture and fisheries together employ 43.2% of working Tanzanians, making the combined sector the largest source of employment in the national economy.

Production Volumes in 2023

In 2023, Tanzania produced 513,802.47 tonnes of fisheries products.^[1]

Natural water fishing accounted for 479,976.62 tonnes of that total.

Freshwater fishing generated 85% of the natural water catch, while marine (sea) fishing contributed the remaining 15%.

Aquaculture delivered 33,825.85 tonnes, spanning farmed fish, seaweed, seagrass, and sea cucumbers.

Sector Value and Growth

The value of harvested fish from natural waters and aquaculture increased to TZS 3,429 billion in FY 2024/2025.

This was up from TZS 3,174 billion in FY 2023/2024.

The rise reflects both higher landed volumes and price gains for premium species destined for export markets.

Fishery Product Exports

By April 2025, total fishery product exports reached 44,317.78 tonnes.

This represented a 7.38% increase compared with 41,271.07 tonnes recorded in FY 2023/2024.

The main fishery product exported during this period was Nile Perch fillets.

Export growth signals rising international demand for Tanzanian freshwater and marine products, particularly Nile Perch value-added cuts.

Resource Base and Geography

Tanzania's coastline stretches 1,424 kilometers, supporting marine fishing and mariculture activities.^[3]

Freshwater resources cover 61,500 square kilometers, roughly 6.5% of the country's total land area.

Almost half of Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika lies within Tanzania.

The country also possesses 800 kilometers of shoreline on Lake Nyasa, plus major rivers including the Rufiji, one of the largest in Africa.

Policy Framework

Agricultural Master Plan 2050

The Agricultural Master Plan 2050^[2] provides a long-term roadmap for transforming Tanzania into a higher middle-income country by 2050 through the modernization of the crops, livestock, and fisheries sectors.

The plan focuses on expanding irrigated land, promoting mechanization, strengthening access to extension services, and reducing post-harvest losses.

It also aims to improve access to both local and international markets, enhance research and development, and implement policy and regulatory reforms to facilitate trade and value addition.

Aquaculture is explicitly listed among the prioritized commodities of the Master Plan, alongside poultry, dairy, red meat, and fodder.

The plan targets accelerated commercial development of priority commodities, including wheat, soybeans, poultry, aquaculture, and fertilizer.

Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Direction

Encouraging investment in the Livestock and Fisheries Sectors is a core priority of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries for both the FY 2024/2025 and FY 2025/2026 budgets.

Blue Economy Alignment

Under the national sector framework, the Blue Economy pillar targets the sustainable exploitation of marine and freshwater resources, promotion of aquaculture, and expansion of port infrastructure.

Productive sectors including agriculture, livestock, and fisheries are also identified for productivity gains and value addition to drive inclusive growth.

Investment Opportunities

Deep sea fishing is open to investment, including partnership agreements with foreign fishing companies to exploit Tanzania's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Aquaculture investment is actively encouraged to meet rising demand for farmed fish, with a specific focus on fish cage farming and deep-sea aquaculture.

Fish processing plants represent a major value-addition opportunity, particularly for Nile Perch fillets, which lead the export basket.

Fish feed production offers a supporting industrial opportunity as aquaculture volumes scale beyond the 33,825.85 tonnes recorded in 2023.

Marine aquaculture is prioritized for high-value species, specifically sea cucumber, crab, and seaweed cultivation along the 1,424-kilometer coastline.

Complementary agro-processing facilities for fish fall within the wider set of post-harvest and processing investments encouraged under the Agricultural Master Plan 2050.

Last Update: May 2026

References

1. https://www.mifugouvuvi.go.tz/uploads/documents/en-1756496407-Sera%20ya%20Taifa%20ya%20Uchumi%20wa%20Buluu%20ya%20Mwaka%202024.pdf (Guide reference #69)
2. https://tanzaniaslovakia.sk/ws/media-library/21b3183f837a4485af13f5a885da3938/tanzania-agriculture-master-plan-2050_master-plan_.pdf (Guide reference #70)
3. https://www.fao.org/4/t0473e/T0473E09.htm (Guide reference #73)