Governance of Coastal Resourcesin Southern Tanzania: Comparing Beach Management Units and the Mnazi Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park

This paper compares two type of partnerships for management of coastal resources in Tanzania: Beach Management Units (BMUs) and the Mnazi Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP). It examines their configuration of actors, governance systems and sustainability outcomes. Drawing from a triangulated analysis of interviews, focus groups, surveys, oral histories, participant observation and secondary data, the paper provides a mapping of the actors involved in these partnerships and their networks; and examines their legitimacy in terms of input, process, output and social and ecological outcomes as perceived by local communities living. Preliminary findings suggest that neither partnership seem to have yielded the expected socio-economic and ecological outcomes. Both face governance challenges related to structural, financial and participatory failures. Both are poorly equipped and the funds accrued from fines and fees are not enough to support alternative livelihood activities or provide alternative fishing gear. Communities see these partnerships as focusing on conservation and as having failed to address major social and economic needs. The structures of the BMUs and MBREMP need to be revised thoroughly to improve the actual role of communities and fishers in the governance of coastal resources. This would improve a sense of ownership and increase cooperation and trust. The benefits accrued from the income resulting from fees or fines must be transparent and shared broadly, no matter how small, as it would improve stewardship. Another important way to support fishers and limit pressure on resources near to shore would be to facilitate access to boats and gear to allow them to fish in the deep sea.