TANGA, April 17 -- OCTOPUS fishers in Boma village, Mkinga District, Tanga Region, have recorded a sharp increase in catches, landing 788 kilogrammes in three days, the highest since a community conservation project began in 2024.

The record catch follows the introduction of a voluntary octopus habitat protection initiative, locally known as “reef closures,” which requires fishers to suspend harvesting for 90 days to allow the species to breed and mature. According to Coordinator of the Mwambao Community Network Tanzania, Mr Ahmed Salum which oversees the project, the approach has transformed both fishing practices and incomes.

“Previously, fishers operated on routine, with individuals catching between 2kg and 5kg per ...