Seaweed Farming and the Blue Economy in Transition: Livelihoods, Gender, and Governance in Tanga, Tanzania

Abstract

Seaweed farming is a cornerstone of Tanzania’s blue economy, supporting livelihoods, women’s employment, and climate adaptation. This study examined the socioeconomic, ecological, and governance dimensions of seaweed farming in the Tanga Region using a mixed-methods approach combining household surveys (n = 352), ten (10) key informant interviews, and three (3) focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS (version 25) using descriptive statistics, correlation, ANOVA, and regression, while qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis within the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) and Gender and Development (GAD) frameworks. Results show that 82% of households depend primarily on seaweed for income, with women comprising 67% of producers. However, production is limited by ice-ice disease (73%), heat stress (65%), and market dependence on middlemen (87.8%), while only 3.1% of farmers engage in value addition. Education, household income, and access to extension services significantly predict adaptive capacity, revealing an adaptation gap that disadvantages low-income and less-educated farmers, particularly women. The study concludes that despite its economic importance, seaweed farming reinforces structural inequalities. Strengthening gender-responsive governance, promoting climate-resilient technologies, and enhancing local value addition are vital for transforming the sector into a driver of inclusive and sustainable coastal development.