Composite Guidelines for the Environmental Assessment of Coastal Aquaculture Development. Vol. 2 : Appendices.

The farming of seaweed (Euchema spp.) began in the late 80’s, stimulated by government promotion and the active involvement of international corporations in promoting small-scale production. The industry grew rapidly in the early 90’s reaching 4,000 tonnes in 1995, but has since declined, related partly to marketing difficulties. There has been significant interest in shrimp farming for several years. Tanzania has good international trade routes, suitable climate, and a long coastline well suited to brackish-water pond production. To date the main interest has been in medium to large-scale projects with significant foreign interests. Environmental assessments have been carried out in respect of at least two proposed shrimp farm developments. The procedures and outcomes have been unsatisfactory in several respects, and it is instructive to consider what has happened, what lessons can be learned, and how procedures might be improved.