Underwater Marine Conservation Program – Tanzania Dive Lab
Empowering Youth for Ocean Stewardship in Tanzania
About the Program
The Tanzania Dive Lab, a flagship initiative by Aqua-Farms Organization, is a youth empowerment and marine conservation program based along Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coastline. Launched in 2021, the program addresses critical barriers that prevent young people, especially those in coastal communities, from engaging with the ocean.
Despite having over 1,400 kilometres of coastline, the majority of Tanzanian youth have little to no access to the sea. Systemic issues like fear of water, lack of safety equipment, and cultural myths have kept the ocean inaccessible, leaving a gap in ocean knowledge, conservation participation, and local stewardship.
Why It Matters
Tanzania’s young people (ages 15–35), who represent over 64% of the population, are largely untapped in the country’s conservation efforts. This disconnect contributes to:
- Marine pollution
- Destructive fishing practices
- Loss of cultural connection to marine ecosystems
- Limited interest in ocean-related careers
Program Objectives
The Underwater Marine Conservation Program is designed to build local capacity in marine conservation through:
- ✅ Fully funded scuba diving certification
- ✅ Hands-on underwater monitoring training
- ✅ Storytelling and ocean-focused filmmaking workshops
- ✅ Marine ecosystem education and leadership development
Target Age Groups
The program is structured to serve three distinct youth segments:
- 14–18 years
- 19–25 years
- 25–35 years
With a strong commitment to gender inclusion, the program prioritizes participation by young women, who are underrepresented in ocean sciences and diving.
Our 2030 Goals
By the year 2030, the Tanzania Dive Lab aims to:
- Certify 100 Divemasters (minimum 60% women)
- Restore degraded marine habitats through youth-led reef monitoring
- ️ Develop a youth-powered network of marine storytellers, researchers, and citizen scientists
- Shift the conservation narrative to be community-led and culturally grounded
Impact and Innovation
By combining technical training with creative media, the Tanzania Dive Lab equips coastal youth to become:
- Marine conservation leaders
- Community-based researchers
- Underwater photographers and filmmakers
- Advocates for sustainable coastal development
Where We Work
The program operates across key marine ecosystems in Tanzania, including:
- Mafia Island Marine Park
- Pemba Channel Conservation Area
- Coastal communities from Tanga to Mtwara
Join the Movement
Through the Tanzania Dive Lab, we are building a generation of informed, inspired, and empowered ocean champions who will lead the charge in restoring Tanzania’s marine ecosystems—from the seafloor to the shoreline.
Learn more or partner with us at afo.or.tz