The economic significance of seaweed farming was recognised in Tanzania in as early as the 1950s when wild seaweed was exported from Zanzibar. Following the collapse of export trade in the late 1970s, seaweed farming started on the Zanzibar Islands in 1989. In this regard, the development of seaweed farming as a marine resource was seen as an alternative source of income that could play an important role in improving the living standards of the people in the areas. Before the commencement of seaweed farming people relied more on subsistence farming, small scale business (petty business trading) and fishing as their major sources of income. After the commencement of seaweed farming, peoples´ economic activities were replaced by seaweed farming as the major source of income, followed by subsistence farming and small-scale business. Furthermore, studies have shown that more women abandoned subsistence farming in favour of seaweed farming as compared to men. Ownership of items such as radio cassettes, kitchenware, furniture, and clothes increased significantly after the introduction of seaweed farming. Other results include an increase in the number of bank accounts for the respective villages, improved homes for the seaweed farmers, and a reduction on the number of children suffering from malnutrition.