Unlocking Blue Potential: Evaluating the Role of Employment Opportunities in Shaping Youth Engagement in Sustainable Fishing in Zanzibar

Lauhat Seif Rashid; Julieth Koshuma

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i09.1957

Abstract

Zanzibar’s fisheries could absorb its growing youth cohort, yet participation lags. This mixed-methods study examined how perceived employment opportunities drive youth engagement in sustainable fishing. A questionnaire of 141 coastal youth (94 % return) produced a four-item Employment Opportunities Index (α =.81; M = 3.01) and a Youth Engagement Score (α =.83). Job attractiveness scored highest (M = 3.31), while local support rated low (M = 2.74). Chi-square tests revealed a significant link between high opportunity perception and active engagement (χ² = 8.27, p =.004); in an OLS model, perceived opportunity remained the strongest positive predictor (β = +0.41, p < .001). Twelve interviews and three focus-group discussions exposed an “aspiration–information” gap: youth imagine upgrading dug-out canoes to GPS-guided boats yet lament “silent vacancies” and onerous loan criteria. Findings suggest that job-creation schemes must be paired with real-time vacancy platforms, mentorship pipelines, and youth-tailored credit if Zanzibar is to unlock its blue-economy potential.

Keywords

Inflationinflation control measuresmonetary policyfiscal policyexchange rate managementfinancial system

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[refR-7] Feng, Y. (2022). Barriers to youth participation in China’s blue economy. Ocean & Coastal Management, 229, 106338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106338DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Gurumo, P., & Mbilinyi, B. (2019). Youth and women in Tanzania’s blue economy. Journal of African Maritime Studies, 10(2), 45–63. https://journals.ub.bw/index.php/jams/article/view/1543Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Hafidh, A. (2023). Youth exclusion in Zanzibar’s economic decision-making. Zanzibar Development Review, 5(1), 23–40.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] International Climate Initiative. (2025). Strengthening BMU governance in Tanzania: Project report. https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/details/project/strengthening-bmu-governance-in-tanzania-5245Google Scholar ↗

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[refR-12] Ministry of Blue Economy & Fisheries. (2023). Zanzibar blue economy annual report 2022/23. Government of Zanzibar. https://mof.zanzibar.go.tz/uploads/documents/en/blue-economy-annual-report-2022-23.pdfGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Misaki, H. (2022). Public awareness of blue-economy livelihoods in South Unguja. Tanzania Journal of Marine Studies, 7(1), 55–70.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Niang, A., & Ba, S. (2018). Youth participation in Senegal’s artisanal fisheries. African Journal of Coastal Economics, 3(4), 201–219. https://ajce.africa/index.php/ajce/article/view/67Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808678DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

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[refR-18] Semba, B. (2020). The blue economy’s contribution to Zanzibar’s GDP and employment. East African Economic Review, 12(3), 67–83.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Siringi, P., Ikutwa, J., & Chepkemboi, J. (2019). Entrepreneurial optimism and youth participation in Kenya’s marine value chains. Journal of Coastal Development, 5(2), 88–103.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] United Nations. (2012). The future we want: Outcome document of the United Nations conference on sustainable development (Rio+20).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/733FutureWeWant.pdfGoogle Scholar ↗