Sea Sense

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Sea Sense Sea Sense is a community based, Tanzanian NGO that is dedicated to the conservation and protection o Protect sea turtles, their eggs and nesting beaches.

Sea Sense is a Tanzanian Non Government Organisation (NGO) that works closely with coastal communities to conserve and protect endangered marine species including sea turtles, dugongs, whales, dolphins and whale sharks. These species face a very uncertain future, mostly as a result of human activities in the coastal zone. Their continued survival is implicitly linked with the protection of the wider coastal and marine ecosystem and the wellbeing of coastal peoples. Sea Sense started as the Tanzania Turtle & Dugong Programme in 2001. The project was started due to disturbing levels of sea turtle slaughter and nest poaching in Mafia Island, Tanzania. A community based sea turtle nest monitoring and protection programme was established together with an intensive awareness campaign targeting village leaders, local fishers and school pupils. Within two years, over 230 nests had been protected and over 10,000 sea turtle hatchlings had safely reached the sea. Levels of nest poaching reduced dramatically from 80% to less than 2%. What we do:
Train & employ community members in marine resource management and protection. Monitor strandings of sea turtles and marine mammals. Provide education and awareness in coastal communities. Conduct biological and social surveys to determine population size, distribution and threats to sea turtles, dugongs and other endangered marine species. Promote sea turtle ecotourism as part of a sustainable livelihoods programme. Monitor and report illegal and destructive activities. Following the success of the project in Mafia, Sea Sense expanded to the mainland in 2004. Endangered marine species conservation programmes were established in a further four Districts: Temeke, Mkuranga, Rufiji and Kilwa. Sea Sense expanded again in 2008 into Tanga Region.

Leo tumepata heshima na furaha kumuelezea Mgeni Rasmi, Mh. Ng’wasi Damas Kamani, Naibu Waziri wa Mifugo na Uvuvi, kuhusu...
26/09/2026

Leo tumepata heshima na furaha kumuelezea Mgeni Rasmi, Mh. Ng’wasi Damas Kamani, Naibu Waziri wa Mifugo na Uvuvi, kuhusu kazi za Sea Sense na juhudi zetu za uhifadhi katika kulinda viumbe wa baharini na mazingira ya pwani ya Tanzania.

Today, we had the pleasure of briefing the Guest of Honour, Hon. Ng’wasi Damas Kamani, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, on Sea Sense’s work and conservation efforts in the protection of Tanzania’s marine wildlife and coastal ecosystems.

25/09/2026

Do come and visit us at the commemoration of 30 years of Mafia Island Marine Park to know about our community led researches and projects on the Island.

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Meet the Sea Sense Mafia Team! A dedicated team working day and night to protect, conserve and raise awareness on the in...
25/09/2026

Meet the Sea Sense Mafia Team!

A dedicated team working day and night to protect, conserve and raise awareness on the incredible marine ecosystems of the Island.

Are you in Mafia? Come and say hello to us at the Mafia island festival!

As we gather in Mafia Island to commemorate 30 years of Mafia Island Marine Park, Sea Sense invites everyone attending t...
23/09/2026

As we gather in Mafia Island to commemorate 30 years of Mafia Island Marine Park, Sea Sense invites everyone attending the celebrations to join us for a very special experience on Juani Island - a sea turtle hatching event!

Come witness these incredible little hatchlings begin their journey from the nest to the ocean, and celebrate the importance of protecting the marine ecosystems and wildlife that make Mafia Island so special.

đź“Ť Meet up location - Basecamp Beach, Utende
đź•ť Time: 2.30 PM

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Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming representative from Foundation of Success (FOS) for a discussion on the succ...
22/09/2026

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming representative from Foundation of Success (FOS) for a discussion on the successful closeout of our recently completed Mlola Forest restoration project in Mafia.

We reflected on how Sea Sense benefited from the project, the key lessons learned, and the gaps that remain. We also discussed opportunities for future collaboration and partnership, as well as how we can continue building on the progress made through the project.

It was a valuable opportunity to reflect, learn, and look ahead to what’s next.

Did you know? Buried deep beneath the sand, a single sea turtle hatchling can’t dig its way to the surface alone. It tak...
21/09/2026

Did you know?

Buried deep beneath the sand, a single sea turtle hatchling can’t dig its way to the surface alone. It takes collective effort to reach the ocean.

As the hatchlings at the top dig away the sand above, those below push upward and climb over one another. The displaced sand settles beneath them, helping create a kind of living “elevator” that lifts the entire group toward the surface.

This is a nature’s reminder that some journeys simply aren’t meant to be taken alone and that team work makes the dream work.

Great ideas start with great connections. Sea Sense was pleased to connect with new stakeholders, revive old partnership...
18/09/2026

Great ideas start with great connections.

Sea Sense was pleased to connect with new stakeholders, revive old partnerships, and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders in the Deals Room at the summit to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Thank you, Tanzania green summit for creating this space for meaningful conversations, valuable connections, and opportunities to turn shared ambitions into action for Tanzania’s environment.

We were delighted to attend the Tanzania Green Summit centered around the theme of “Turning Climate Action into Opportun...
16/09/2026

We were delighted to attend the Tanzania Green Summit centered around the theme of “Turning Climate Action into Opportunity.”

The summit was an inspiring space for environmental advocacy, meaningful networking, and insightful conversations. Each panel session brought forward powerful messages and perspectives on the importance of taking action to address climate change.

Beyond the discussions, the summit highlighted the great opportunities that exist within climate resilience—from innovative solutions and partnerships to creating sustainable opportunities for communities and businesses.

Key takeaway for we seasense was that climate action is not only about responding to challenges, but also about unlocking opportunities for a sustainable and more resilient future.

13/09/2026

When baby sea turtles hatch, they begin one of the most important journeys of their lives from the nest to the ocean.

Sea turtle hatchlings are born with natural instincts that help them find the sea. As they emerge from the sand, they use environmental cues such as the brightness of the horizon, the slope of the beach, and the reflection of natural light on the ocean to guide them toward the water.

Hatchlings can also detect and respond to the Earth’s magnetic field, which helps them navigate, especially once they are in the ocean.

Reaching the sea quickly is critical. Hatchlings are vulnerable to predators such as birds and crabs, and the longer they remain on the beach, the more energy they use.

Once they enter the water, they begin a period of powerful, continuous swimming known as a “swimming frenzy.” This helps them move away from shallow coastal waters and toward deeper, more open water where they have a better chance of survival.

This tiny journey may only take a few minutes, but for a hatchling, it can mean the difference between life and death.

Protecting nesting beaches by keeping them clean and undisturbed gives these incredible little travelers their best chance to reach the ocean.

07/09/2026

25 years ago, along the shores of Mafia Island, a journey began with a simple purpose: to protect Tanzania’s sea turtles and their habitats.

What started as a commitment to protect turtles grew into something much bigger a partnership with coastal communities, built on knowledge, trust, and the belief that conservation works best when local people are at its heart.

Over the years, countless turtles have returned to these shores. Nests have been protected. Habitats have been cared for. And generations of coastal communities have become part of the story.

The numbers in the video above capture some of what has been achieved. But numbers can never tell the whole story.

Behind every number is a person who cared enough to act. A community that chose to protect. A turtle that made it safely back to the ocean. And a future made a little brighter for Tanzania’s marine life.

For 25 years, Sea Sense has been privileged to walk this journey alongside coastal communities, partners, volunteers, and supporters.

To everyone who has been part of the story from those who helped begin it in Mafia to those carrying it forward today thank you.

As we look to the next 25 years, the journey continues and we ask for your continued support to keep this vital work alive.

Address

PO BOX 105044
Dar Es Salaam

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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