SWIOFish Project would extend, consolidate and build on the accomplishments of SWIOFP, MACEMP and other Bank and GEF-funded activities in the region. It would consolidate and strengthen regional cooperation on fisheries and marine resource management, through improved management of transboundary fisheries, strengthen regional fisheries institutions, and promote knowledge exchange and capacity development. It would also establish the core human and institutional competencies and frameworks for sustainable fisheries management and prepare for any major public and public/ private capital investments required, for example, for fleet adjustment, outgrowermariculture, port infrastructure, or replication and expansion of community fisheries co-management or business programs. As such, SWIOFish would have a major focus on human and institutional capacity development.

Since the project will be financed with World Bank funds the Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA)was conducted to ensure the project meet requirements of World Bank Environment and Social Safeguards Policies as well as applicable national standards.

The overall objective of the ESA is to evaluate the potential biophysical and socio-economic impacts of the Project and develop an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Involuntary Resettlement Process Framework outlining the procedures to be followed to manage these impacts.

The ESA will ensure consistency with the provisions of the Environmental Management Act (EMA) of Tanzania that require environmental and social impact assessment to be undertaken for any new projects that may cause adverse environmental and social impacts.