Impact of Locally Managed Octopus Reefs Conservation Practices on Livelihood Improvement: A Case of Songosongo Island.

Arnold, Zephania (2025) Impact of Locally Managed Octopus Reefs Conservation Practices on Livelihood Improvement: A Case of Songosongo Island. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study assessed the impact of locally managed octopus reef conservation practices on livelihood improvements in Songosongo Island, Tanzania, from 2017 to 2024. The specific objectives evaluated the indicators of community income, business capital, physical assets, housing conditions, and food intake. The study adopted the positivist philosophy. The 83 respondents were selected proportionally via stratified and simple random sampling. Statistical tools, including paired t-tests, chi-square tests, and descriptive analyses, were used to evaluate changes before and after reef conservation practices. Findings showed a statistically significant improvement in business capital (p = 0.016), household physical assets (p = 0.0023), housing conditions (p < 0.001), and food security (p = 0.004). While average income increased by 22.5%, this change was not statistically significant (p = 0.2048), suggesting economic outcomes vary. More than 80% of respondents reported building new homes and increasing their daily meals from 2 to 3. The study concludes that community-led reef conservation practices are a practical strategy for enhancing coastal livelihoods. The study recommends integrating financial support, infrastructure investment, and food security programming into marine conservation efforts. Keywords: Impact, Octopus Reefs conservation practices, livelihood improvement, Songosongo Island

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