The effectiveness of national maritime governance in the protection of maritime domain: A Case of United Republic of Tanzania

This study assessed the effectiveness of national maritime governance in protecting the maritime domain of the United Republic of Tanzania. It was guided by four objectives: (i) to examine existing legal and institutional frameworks and the roles of key maritime actors; (ii) to assess Tanzania’s engagement with international maritime conventions; (iii) to identify key challenges hindering effective governance; and (iv) to explore emerging strategies and reforms aimed at strengthening maritime domain protection. A qualitative case study design was employed, drawing on documentary review and interviews with officers from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, TASAC, the Marine Police Unit, and the Tanzanian Navy. The findings show that Tanzania’s governance framework is supported by major statutes including the Merchant Shipping Act, Maritime Zones Act, Fisheries Act, Maritime Transport Act, and Deep-Sea Fishing Authority Act which give effect to obligations under UNCLOS, SOLAS, MARPOL, and the Djibouti Code of Conduct. However, outdated legislation, overlapping mandates, weak coordination, limited surveillance capacity, inadequate funding, and weak prosecution mechanisms reduce the overall effectiveness of maritime governance. Although recent reforms such as the development of a National Maritime Policy, proposed legislative updates, joint patrols, and technological improvements indicate progress, their impact is constrained by the absence of a unified statutory coordination mechanism. The study concludes that Tanzania possesses a solid legal foundation for maritime governance, but its protective capacity remains limited. Strengthening legal harmonization, institutional coordination, and enforcement capabilities is essential for enhancing sustainable and effective maritime domain protection.