BLUEZEAL Strengthens the Future of Marine Spatial Planning in Tanzania

In the photo: Kitesurfing tourists and seaweed farmers share the sensitive coastal areas of Zanzibar.

How can marine resources be used sustainably while supporting economic development and protecting biodiversity? This is one of the key questions addressed by the new Erasmus+ project BLUEZEAL, which will begin in January 2027 with Novia as the coordinating institution. The three-year project will run until the end of 2029.

The project aims to strengthen knowledge and capacity in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and the Blue Economy in Tanzania and Zanzibar through modern, digital, and inclusive education. Zanzibar is an autonomous part of Tanzania.“Marine spatial planning is about creating a balance between different interests and uses of marine areas. Just as we plan land use onshore, we need to plan how marine areas are used to ensure sustainable development,” says Stefan Heinänen, Lecturer at Novia.

The Blue Economy Requires Sustainable Marine Spatial Planning

The maritime economy, known as the Blue Economy, is a priority sector in Tanzania and Zanzibar. Strong expertise in marine spatial planning is essential for the sustainable development of the sector and for safeguarding local biodiversity. The overall objective is to build capacity and create industry connections and practical learning opportunities within ecosystem-based marine spatial planning.

The Blue Economy includes all economic activities linked to the ocean, such as fisheries, shipping, and renewable energy. To secure the future of these industries, it is crucial that marine resources are used sustainably.

“Marine spatial planning is one of many tools for addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution while ensuring that human needs are met. It is therefore important and must continue to improve if we are to tackle the major crises we currently face. The same applies to Finland and other countries,” says Jonna Engström-Öst, researcher at Novia.

Simulations Make Marine Spatial Planning Tangible

In Zanzibar, for example, there are challenges related to how the extensive tourism sector can develop in a way that allows biodiversity and coastal livelihoods such as small-scale fisheries and seaweed farming to coexist.

“On land, we have long traditions of planning through regional and local land-use plans designed to support sustainable development. We also need to agree on plans at sea that determine which areas should be protected and which can be used by different sectors,” says Stefan Heinänen.

Since 2021, all EU Member States have been required, under the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, to have a national marine spatial plan. Like the EU countries, most nations with marine areas have some form of marine spatial planning process underway.

As part of the project, a digital platform for marine spatial planning and simulation will be developed. The platform will bring together different stakeholders to enhance expertise in marine spatial planning and create sustainable opportunities for the use of marine resources. An important component of the project is also to create opportunities for students to apply their knowledge when entering working life.

“Marine spatial planning is complex, and it can be challenging to understand the broader picture and potential impacts. An educational and innovative simulation game such as MSP Challenge makes this possible in an interactive way,” says Heinänen.

Through MSP Challenge, students and other stakeholders can plan the use of marine areas in a digital environment by placing shipping routes, protected areas, fishing zones, and other activities on a virtual map. The consequences of these planning selections can then be simulated, allowing participants to analyse both mistakes and success, which strongly support learning and development.

Strengthening the Next Generation of Experts

Students who develop advanced expertise in marine spatial planning during their studies and gain valuable industry contacts and practical experience will be well positioned to contribute to a sustainable future across different parts of the marine sector.

“Zanzibar and Tanzania are currently in the process of developing national marine spatial planning while facing increasing pressure to make greater use of marine resources. These competencies are needed now, and in the future, globally, to help solve the major crises humanity is currently facing,” concludes Stefan Heinänen.

Other partners in the BLUEZEAL project are the University of Turku, the State University of Zanzibar in Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Ardhi University in Tanzania, and Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. The total project budget is €650,000, of which Novia’s share is €169,000.