Assessment of the Potentials of the Blue Economy Resources for Poverty Reduction in Tanzania

Abstract

This study assesses the potentials of the blue economy resources for poverty reduction in Tanzania. Specifically, it identifies the blue economy sectorand examines how individuals and government have benefited from blue economy’ industry. The study used a mixed methods approach in data collection that include interviews, questionnaire,and documentary reviews. Data analysis was done based on data collected, whereby, quantitative data analysis methods used was descriptive statistics while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. We find that 19% of the respondents were found involving in more than one sector of the blue economy including fisheries, coastal tourism,and transportation. The blue economy sectors were found creating employment opportunities to skilled and unskilled people, entertainment, and food. These potentials provide incomes to people who use to meet their social and economic needs, which eventually reduce poverty. Likewise, the revenue collected by the government from various sectors is used by the government to provide social services to the public such as health, education, roads,and many others, which eventually reduces poverty in Tanzania. Therefore, it is important the blue economy agenda to be sustainable in national development plans by formulating blue economy policy which will create more good working environment to create more employment opportunities to Tanzanians to increase more income at household level and have participatory economy.