Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The shoreline of Mbezi Beach B was transformed on September 20th as The Jahazi Project, in partnership with the Environmental Conservation Community of Tanzania (ECCT), led this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day. The initiative brought together community members, local leaders, civil society groups, and young people, uniting them under a common mission: to tackle plastic pollution and safeguard Tanzania’s coastline.
The event was part of a global day of action and reflected Tanzania’s growing momentum in the fight against marine litter. Volunteers collected waste along the beach while also engaging in waste sorting and brand audits, turning the cleanup into a platform for both practical conservation and evidence-based advocacy.
Speaking during the event, Michael Mallya, spokesperson for The Jahazi Project, emphasized the wider significance of the campaign. “Our ocean is our heritage and our future. What happened here in Dar es Salaam is part of a regional effort to protect our coastlines, empower communities, and safeguard the Blue Economy. Cleanup Day is proof that when governments, citizens, and young people act together, real change is possible.”
For ECCT, the initiative underscored the importance of collaboration. Executive Director Lucky Michael noted that marine litter is not only an environmental issue but also a community challenge, pointing to the power of partnerships in finding lasting solutions. Artist and philanthropist Ben Pol, who joined the volunteers on the beach, highlighted the urgency of addressing the crisis. “Every plastic bottle collected today is one less threat to our reefs, fisheries, and future,” she said.
Local government leaders also echoed this sense of responsibility. Ibrahim Ngarito, a member of the Mbezi B Street Committee, praised the initiative’s impact on young people. “Beach cleanup initiatives play a vital role in keeping our coastal environment clean and healthy. In doing so, we prepare young people to become responsible citizens, steering them away from negative behaviors and towards building stronger, more sustainable communities,” he said.
Residents, too, were moved to take action. George Mushi, a long-time resident of Mbezi Beach B, stressed the need for community-driven responsibility. “Look at this beach. If we, the residents, made it a habit to come and clean it, we would be securing our own future. The consequences are long-term, so our response must be immediate,” he said.
The cleanup was accompanied by marine conservation campaigns, youth-led eco-activities, and a pledge drive, reinforcing the message that protecting the ocean goes beyond a single event. The effort also drew wide publicity, with strong national media coverage and significant social media engagement, particularly through influencers such as Ben Pol and Amina Jige.
The campaign builds on commitments made at the Blue Voices Roundtable, where regional leaders pledged to accelerate action on marine conservation and combat illegal fishing. By linking grassroots mobilization with national priorities and regional strategies, The Jahazi Project continues to translate advocacy into tangible action.
As the event concluded, participants renewed their pledge not only to keep Tanzania’s beaches clean but also to support the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUUF). This pledge underscores a deeper truth: protecting our oceans requires more than removing plastic: it demands long-term commitment to defending marine ecosystems, securing livelihoods, and sustaining the Blue Economy for generations to come.
