Sea Cucumber Farming Supporting Coastal Livelihoods in Zanzibar

At low tide in Unguja Ukuu, on Zanzibar’s southern coast, Fadhil Haji Juma walks between rows of sea cucumber enclosures, checking the nets that protect his stock. A decade ago, these shallow waters told a different story. Sea cucumbers were abundant in the wild and harvested daily. Today, farming has replaced extraction — offering a more sustainable path for both the ocean and the community that depends on it.

Fadhil is among the farmers who witnessed the rapid decline of wild sea cucumber stocks. “Before, they were everywhere,” he says. “But over time, they disappeared completely.” Faced with dwindling catches and unstable income, he began exploring sea cucumber farming — a practice once considered impossible.

Learning to farm sustainably

In the early stages, farming was largely based on guesswork. Juveniles were collected from the sea and placed in enclosures with little guidance on stocking density or growth cycles, often resulting in losses.

That began to change through access to technical training and extension support under the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Programme (AFDP), a six-year programme (2021–2027) implemented by the Government of Tanzania with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Through AFDP-supported training in Unguja and Pemba, aquafarmers gained practical skills in managing sea cucumber farms more sustainably.

“We learned that overcrowding the farms prevents the sea cucumbers from growing,” Fadhil explains. “When we followed the correct numbers, survival improved.”

Guidance from fisheries experts helped farmers apply more structured and environmentally responsible practices, strengthening the viability of sea cucumber farming as a long-term livelihood.

Creating jobs and income

As Fadhil’s farms expanded, so did the need for labour. What began as an individual effort evolved into a system of shared work, where men and women take on specific tasks — repairing nets, cleaning enclosures, harvesting, and guarding the farms. Each task is paid, creating more predictable income for those involved.

“People know that when they come here, there is work,” Fadhil says. “Even when we are waiting for juveniles, the farms still need maintenance.”

Women driving daily operations

For women in Unguja Ukuu, sea cucumber farming has become an important source of income. Husna Busara Hassan, a member of the Stahamili women’s group, says the benefits extend beyond earnings.

“We are able to educate our children and improve our homes,” she says. “The income we get from this work is good.”

Women play a central role in day-to-day farm activities, including cleaning enclosures and repairing nets. While some tasks, such as night harvesting, are handled by men for safety reasons, women remain key to keeping the farms operational.

AFDP places particular emphasis on women and youth participation, reflected in the strong presence of women in aquaculture training and farming activities across Zanzibar.

Ongoing challenges and future prospects

Despite progress, challenges remain. The availability of sea cucumber juveniles is a major constraint. Wild collection is unpredictable, while hatchery-produced juveniles — which grow faster — remain limited in supply.

Under AFDP, efforts to strengthen access to fingerlings and support aquaculture facilities are helping address this bottleneck, even as demand continues to outpace supply. Farmers also face risks related to theft and the lack of appropriate farming equipment, often relying on repurposed fishing nets that require frequent maintenance.

Still, optimism remains. “Sea cucumbers are valuable, and the market is there,” Fadhil says. “With continued support and access to inputs, this work can grow.”

A sustainable path forward

Sea cucumber farming in Unguja Ukuu shows how local initiative, combined with targeted technical support, can reduce pressure on marine ecosystems while strengthening livelihoods. By improving skills and supporting inclusive participation, AFDP is helping coastal communities move toward more resilient and sustainable futures.