Seeing the Sea Differently: Participatory Approaches to Transform Fisheries Governance in Zanzibar
Written by Sidney Opiyo (Fisheries Opportunity Fund Fellow 2025)
Why Small-scale Fisheries?
Small-scale fisheries are the backbone of many coastal economies in Africa and worldwide. In Zanzibar, fisheries support thousands of families, contribute to food security, and sustain the cultural identity. Despite the importance of these fisheries, small-scale fishers are often underrepresented in decision-making processes, with fisheries data and effort often outdated, and local fishers rarely included in conversations that inform fisheries management. My work revolves around making fisheries data more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful to the communities that generate it. In partnership with World Fish and the Government of Zanzibar, through an initiative known as the Digital Coasts Program, there has been a transformation in how fisheries data is collected, validated, and shared. Digital tools now help fishers and local enumerators to collect almost real-time fishing information across the beaches and fish landing sites using tablets and mobile applications. Despite the progress in technology to improve data accuracy, this alone cannot solve the underlying social and behavioral barriers that influence whether data systems truly serve everyone.
My Capstone: Building Trust through Participation
Over the summer of 2025, I was laying the groundwork for transforming my capstone concept into a grounded, actionable plan. In my interaction with fishers over the summer, my capstone was validated with fishermen often asking, “Who will benefit from the data we provide?” and “Will this information be brought back to help us?”. This showed that the fishers did not see a direct link between data collection and improved livelihoods, leading to a decline in their participation. The first phase focused on refining the research design and objectives with my faculty advisor, Elena Finkbeiner, and partner organization, World Fish Zanzibar. With the plan in place, I moved to the field, spending time with fishermen across different fishing and gleaning sites. Some of the sites I visited included Fumba, Nyamanzi, Uroa, Chukwani, Buyu, Kikungwi, Unguja Ukuu, and Uzi Ngambwa. These landing sites and visits in Zanzibar allowed me to observe firsthand how small-scale fishing communities operate from day to day.
Laying the Groundwork: From Concept to Reality
During the field visits, I spent significant time with women gleaners, those who collect shellfish, oysters, sea cucumbers, and other resources from the intertidal zones. These women are often the invisible backbone of the fisheries economy. Their work contributes both to household food security and to local markets, yet their knowledge and labor frequently go undocumented.
Insights from the Fieldwork
Through informal discussions and participatory mapping exercises, I learned that many gleaners possess an intimate understanding of species distribution, tidal patterns, and environmental changes. Yet, they often lack access to digital tools or formal recognition within fisheries governance systems. This gap underscores a broader challenge: data systems that do not fully capture the diversity of knowledge that sustains fisheries. One of the most profound moments for me came when a woman in Pemba Island said, “We see researchers come and go, but we do not see outcomes or reflections of our work and experiences.” That simple statement captured the essence of why participatory research matters.
This summer was also about relationships, building trust with communities, strengthening collaboration with partner organizations, and aligning expectations for the work ahead. Through meetings with WorldFish staff, local cooperatives, and representatives from the Zanzibar Small Fishers’ Cooperative Union, I was able to situate my research within broader ongoing initiatives. These interactions helped ensure that the project would not exist in isolation but rather complement efforts to enhance digital data collection and co-management systems. Establishing these relationships early has already begun to pay off. Communities have shown interest and openness, and partners have offered valuable logistical and technical support. This spirit of collaboration is essential for participatory research, where success depends not only on methodology but also on trust and mutual respect.
Lessons from the Summer Fieldwork
Even though the formal fieldwork is still ahead, several important insights have already emerged from the preparatory phase. First, participation is a process, not a single event. Building trust takes time, presence, and consistency. Communities are more likely to engage when they see continuity and respect, rather than extractive data collection.
Second, gender and inclusion must be intentional. Women gleaners and youth play critical roles in fisheries value chains, yet they often remain invisible in both research and management. Their inclusion is not just about fairness; it’s about improving the quality and completeness of information that informs decisions.
Third, communication matters. Technical data systems alone cannot build understanding. Translating information into accessible formats through storytelling, images, and dialogue can bridge gaps between scientists, policymakers, and local fishers.
Finally, I have learned that participatory work is as much about listening as it is about documenting. The process of sitting under a palm tree with a group of fishers, listening to their stories, is not simply data collection, it is relationship-building, and it is foundational to lasting impact.