The initial focus of CRC’s program in Tanzania was implementation of the national ICM strategy and improved planning and policies in mariculture and tourism. Execution of the integrated coastal management strategy (ICMS) over the last two years has emphasized decentralized coastal management and conservation. While participatory approaches and tools for ICM action planning are currently being piloted in selected coastal districts and tangible short-term results that enhance societal well-being and protect coastal ecosystems are now emerging, execution of ICM strategies at the national and local level remains a great challenge. This is largely due to scarce resources and multiple priorities. Often laws, policies and strategies are developed but implementation is weak – due to the limited capacity of those institutions responsible for implementation. Recognizing this, the Project focuses on:

1. improving human and institutional capacity to implement the ICMS and decentralized governance, and
2. ensuring policies and strategies for coastal conservation and sustainable livelihoods are applied.

At the end of the project, we expect the following results:

• The Tanzania National Environmental Management Council (NEMC), with dedicated staff and budget, is fully coordinating implementation of the Integrated Coastal Management Strategy through its coastal unit (ICMU).
• The knowledge and skills of NEMC and district staff and other key individuals, including community leaders in the three targeted districts, is strengthened such that they are effective resource stewards and can implement district ICM action plans.
• The ICMU is working in public-private partnership to promote sustainable coastal development and is supporting the coastal districts in implementing ICMS.
• Guidelines for district action planning have been assessed, revised and applied to development of district action plans in the SUCCESS districts as well as districts supported by other donor projects.
• Action research is conducted around low-cost, modified trawl-gear designs, which have been proven to reduce impacts on bottom habitats, reduce by-catch of juvenile fin-fish  and reduce incidences of sea turtle mortality.
• Use of modified, more sustainable trawl gears is recommended as a national policy/regulation that promotes adoption throughout the marine trawl industry.