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International Journal of Marine Science 2015, Vol.5, No.6, 1-7
http://ijms.biopublisher.ca
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National BMU Guideline. During the reformation
processes the BMUs were also trained on fisheries
management, fisheries co-management, financial
management, formulation and implementation of
work plans and reporting, leadership and governance
and conflict management. It was anticipated that, with
the legal backing and trainings the BMU performance
in carrying out her roles in management of fisheries
resources and those of fisheries dependent
communities will be improved. However, the
increased pressure on the fishery resources (Nyeko et
al, 2009), illegal fishing practices (Njiru et al, 2009)
and growing concern that fisheries communities are
the poorest (Onyango and Jentoft, 2010) despite the
increased earnings accrued from the sector over the
last decade raises more questions on the impact of
BMUs in fisheries management. While some authors
claim that BMUs have achieved much in
implementing fisheries activities (Ogwang' et al., 2009)
others have divergent opinions about BMU success in
carrying out their mandate (Onyango and Jentoft,
2007; Nunan, 2010; Hara and Nielsen, 2003).
However, few investigations have been carried out to
find out how much fishers think about BMU and what
attitudes they have towards their performance in
carrying out their mandate. This paper presents the
preliminary findings of a survey conducted in January
through February 2014 to examine the attitude of
fishers towards the performance of BMU in regulating
the fishery and reducing poverty among the fishers.
These two areas are critical in implementing the
National fishery policy goal which is to promote
conservation, development and sustainable
management of the fisheries resources for present and
future generations. They are also the main basis upon
which the BMUs were formed- to improve the welfare
and livelihoods of people in fisheries dependent
communities and to safeguard the fisheries resources.
The BMU structure
A BMU is made up of the assembly and executive
committee. The assembly includes all persons
engaged in fisheries activities at beach level. The
members include boat owners, crew members,
managers/supervisors, artisanal fish processors and
traders, fishing gear and equipment dealers/repairers,
boat makers and agents of industrial fish processors
operating at the beach. The committee consists of 9-15
elected officials and are responsible for the day to day
running of the BMUs activities. The committee is
comprised of a chairperson, secretary, treasurer,
storekeeper and any other post as agreed by the BMU
assembly. Within each BMU committee there have to
be at-least three sub-committees responsible for
fisheries management, financial management and
environmental
protection.
However
more
sub-committees can be formed depending on the need
of a respective BMU.
The BMUs rules of procedure are provided in the
National BMU Guideline which was developed within
the context of FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible
Fisheries and the Harmonized Beach Management
Unit Guidelines on Lake Victoria (URT, 2005). The
BMU guideline supports the national government
development objectives of poverty eradication, gender
equity and social inclusion in decision making
processes that affect the sustainability of natural
resources and livelihood of people dependent upon
these resources through empowering the fisheries
communities in fisheries planning, management and
development and provide a clear outline for
community participation in these processes. The
guideline among many other issues provides
understanding on the structure and functions of the
BMUs as well as mechanism for establishing and
operating fisheries co-management on inland and
marine waters of Tanzania.
Roles of BMU executive committee
The executive committee of the BMU is the unit that
oversees day to day operation of the BMU and is also
responsible for ensuring that the roles and objectives
of the BMU are met. The specific roles that the BMU
executive committees are supposed to undertake to
regulate fisheries and address the poverty include the
following (URT, 2005); Identify wider development
interventions at Village level from the BMU plan and
make financial proposals for their support by the
BMU. Propose by-laws for endorsement by the
District Authorities and enforce them. Assist in the
collection of fisheries data on catch, effort and
socio-economic information using agreed formats.
Undertake Monitoring, Control and Surveillance in
collaboration with the relevant authorities to reduce,
and, ensure that harmful and illegal fish trading
practices are eliminated from within the jurisdictional