Building capacity for coastal communities to manage marine resources in Tanzania : Marine Conservation and Management Areas and Conservation Committees Group

A national coastal community workshop was held in Tanga (2008) to give coastal communities an opportunity to interact and share practical experiences in marine resource use and management and to articulate their needs. Conservation areas have not only enhanced the biodiversity and preserved naturalness of these areas but also have enhanced local community livelihoods and contributed to Tanzania’s economic growth. However, many community members have little respect and faith in the resource management committees because punishment of offences stipulated in the laws governing marine resources are lenient, and offenders are thus not deterred by the laws, enforcement rates or penalties