Fabiani, Godfrey, Namukose, Mary, Katikiro, Robert Eliakim, Yussuf, Yussuf S. and Steinmann, Nuri M. (2023) Tanzania Case Study - Potential and Challenges of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) System of Seaweed and Sea Cucumber in Tanzania. In: Challenges in Tropical Coastal Zone Management - Experiences and Lessons Learned. , ed. by Wolff, Matthias ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7458-983X, Ferse, Sebastian C. A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0930-5356 and Govan, Hugh. Springer, Cham, p. 133148. ISBN 978-3-031-17878-8 DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17879-5_9.

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Abstract

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is an ecosystem-based method to produce food from different elements of the food web. IMTA processes involve recycling nutrients such as feces, waste feed, or soluble inorganic forms. Production activities under IMTA system in Tanzania face a number of challenges, yet the potential for production is enormously high. This chapter makes use of available published and grey literature on the farming of sea cucumbers and seaweeds from selected endeavors in Tanga (Northern Tanzania) and Zanzibar Island to examine which species of sea cucumbers and algae are farmed and their associated impacts. The potential and challenges of management strategies for IMTA are discussed thoroughly. Special emphasis is placed on the adoption of IMTA as a feasible economic and ecological method for production of sea cucumbers in the country. Economic analysis of IMTA shows that these activities should be viewed as part of a large system that includes more than one species from different trophic levels. IMTA can have a whole range of economic and ecological benefits compared with monocultures yet concerns about its impacts on ecosystems and the general public remain unexplored. The potential for IMTA of sea cucumbers and seaweed is high, and the market is readily available. However, the IMTA approach requires thorough investigations, skills, and preparations, which are currently at minimal level in Tanzania. Lack of seeds is a major obstacle to IMTA development and is worsened by theft issues, lack of capital, and appropriate skills. This chapter calls for technical support from development partners in managing the IMTA systems at all stages in the production cycle.

Document Type:	Book chapter
Programme Area:	PA1
Research affiliation:	Ecology Science Management > Office for Knowledge Exchange Integrated Modelling > Resource Management
Open Access Journal?:	No
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17879-5_9
Date Deposited:	01 Dec 2025 16:34
Last Modified:	01 Dec 2025 16:34
URI:	https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/6030

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