Aquahub Sea Cucumber - Tanzania
AQUAHUB is a community-based, vertically integrated aquaculture enterprise in Pemba, Tanzania, incubated by Blue Alliance and supported by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR). The business focuses on sustainable sea cucumber farming (Holothuria scabra) as a reef-positive alternative to wild harvesting, which has severely depleted local populations and threatened coral reef health. By integrating hatchery operations, grow-out farming with local communities, and processing facilities, AQUAHUB targets high-value global markets while improving livelihoods in one of the region’s most economically challenged areas.
Backed by US$360,000 in GFCR grants and US$600,000 in concessional debt, AQUAHUB empowers coastal communities through contract farming models, with 60% of direct jobs held by women. Profits are reinvested into the management of the 27,000-hectare Pemba Channel Conservation Area (PECCA), contributing to reef restoration, fisheries recovery, and biodiversity protection. By 2030, the enterprise is projected to generate up to US$2 million annually and support over 4,000 household members.
The business also delivers strong environmental and climate benefits by regenerating 100 hectares of seagrass ecosystems, enhancing carbon sequestration, and building resilience to climate impacts. With an inclusive governance model and capacity-building initiatives for local producers, AQUAHUB sets a precedent for scalable, impact-driven aquaculture. A dedicated hatchery is planned for 2025 to ensure supply chain sustainability and reduce dependency on wild juveniles. AQUAHUB is one of several reef-positive businesses within Blue Alliance’s impact facility, collectively aiming to make MPAs financially self-sufficient while advancing the global Blue Economy.
The below diagram illustrates the structure of this finance solution:
