There is a common understanding amongst researchers and users of inshore fisheries that catch rates are declining, the size of fish is reduced and that in response unsustainable (and illegal) fishing practices are proliferating. In terms of the socio-economic context, it is estimated that almost 50% of the population of Tanzania are poor (URT, 2000). The majority of the poor are in rural areas and the most vulnerable groups are the young (where there is very high unemployment), the very old, women, those in large households and those involved in subsistence agriculture, livestock production and small-scale fisheries (URT and UN, 2001).

In Zanzibar, where poverty is also an important problem, fish is the principal source of animal protein for the low-income families. Although landings seem to have remained steady over the last 10-years, there has been a 35% increase in numbers of fishing vessels and a 235% increase in the number of fishers resulting in a decline in catch-rate (and therefore income) for individual fishers. 25% of the population is employed either directly or indirectly in fisheries. There is an urgent need to diversify the fisheries and the small-scale economy of fisheries in Tanzania to contribute to the alleviation of poverty in coastal Tanzania.