Strengthening the blue economy of the Western Indian Ocean

The basis for sustainable development around an ocean-based economy is the compatibility with the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The project is therefore promoting the protection and strengthening of natural marine resource management s in the Western Indian Ocean in the partner countries. With marine and coastal planning, restoration of ecosystems such as mangroves and the development of climate-resilient and sustainable fishing methods for the benefit of coastal communities, the project strengthens the resilience of marine biodiversity. To this end, it builds up resources and skills on site and within government agencies, develops strategies for fisheries management and marine spatial planning for the implementation of SDG 14 (life under water) and the CBD. It also supports the partner countries in adapting their NDCs with regard to the protection of marine biodiversity.

Project data

Countries: Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania
IKI funding: 7,568,771.00 €
Included preparation phase: 311,104.00 €
Duration: 04/2021 till 03/2027
Status: open
Implementing organisation: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - International
Political Partner: Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) - Seychelles

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries - Kenya

Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs - Kenya

Vice President’s Office (VPO) - Tanzania
Implementing Partner: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) - Tasmania/Australia

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State of implementation/results

As part of the activities on marine spatial planning, a training session on ‘Stakeholder engagement pathways’ was held in June 2024 and attended by government representatives.
As part of the activities on electronic fisheries monitoring, a workshop was organised for various target groups (April 2024).
A workshop on harvest strategy training conducted with the Kenya Lobster Fishery Scientific & Management Working Group was implemented (April 2023).
As part of Kenya's marine spatial planning, a national framework for marine spatial planning, a strategy for stakeholder engagement and implementation, draft guidelines for a strategic environmental and social impact assessment and capacity building requirements have been developed.
The Harvest Strategy for the lobster fishery in Kenya was completed (April 2023).
In 2023 four vessel owners committed to participate in Electronic fisheries Monitoring (EM) pilot measures (three longline and one trawl vessel).
A workshop for key stakeholders was held in the Tana River Couty in August 2022 to accelerate next steps for implementing the work of the Community Forest Associations and Participatory Forest Management Plans.
Capacity building training for EM was completed with the participation of the Kenya Fisheries Service and other fisheries authorities (November 2024).
In January 2025, the Kenyan government issued a Notice of Planning Intent, which published the Marine Spatial Plan Planning (MSP) Area and formalised the national MSP in legislation, and issued a call for public participation.
The Project organised a workshop in July 2025 on electronic fisheries monitoring (EM) with 45 participants comprising of industry, policy makers, fisheries managers, and scientists in Mombasa, Kenya, to review key findings from adding EM onto three industrial Kenya-flagged vessels.
The Kenya Lobster Fishery Management Plan and Harvest Strategy was officially Gazetted and public consultation was conducted in May 2025.

In Tanzania, the project is actively supporting the government in drawing up a national MSP. Workshops have been organised to build the capacity of government representatives.
The IKI project plays a central role in the Blue Economy Development Partners Group organised by UNDP and provides monthly updates on the status of marine spatial planning in Tanzania.
A pre-feasibility scoping study and a legal, policy and administrative analysis on the status of MSP in the United Republic of Tanzania has been completed. The scoping study engaged over 208 stakeholders, ranging from development partners, key government ministries and agencies, research institutions, and local and international non-government organizations.
TNC attended the National Blue Economy Policy Dialogue meeting in November 2024, hosted by the Vice President Office (VPO) and the EU to share overall project progress. The VPO announced the establishment of a dedicated Blue Economy committee and an Interministerial Committee for the Blue Economy.

A workshop for government representatives and fisheries stakeholder on data collection as part of the sustainable revision of lobster fishery planning was held (August 2024).
The Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA) is being supported in the introduction of EM for longliners (May 2024).
In August 2023, agreements on new fishing regulations and a framework for fishing licences for crab fishing were concluded in a workshop with the Seychelles' fisheries authority.
An EM training for fisheries capacity building was completed with the SFA.
In June 2025 the new Seychelles Fisheries and Aquaculture Act was officially Gazetted and assented. The project contributed to this piece of legislation providing multiple reviews of the bill over the past years, with special emphasis on Fishery management plans and designation of protected zones or areas.

Latest Update:
12/2025