Along the coasts of mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, communities depend on coastal and marine ecosystems for their livelihoods. About 80% of households in rural Zanzibar earn their living from fishing, growing seaweed, collecting resources from forests, and small-scale farming. However, over the last 30 years, demographic pressures and unsustainable use of resources have put both livelihoods and ecosystems at risk. This prompts an urgent need for innovative solutions that balance economic and ecological sustainability.