Dissertation (MA Development Studies)This study intended to examine the fishing industry and its contribution, to coastal livelihoods in Chwaka village in Zanzibar. The study specially focused on assessing how far coastal community in Chwaka village are benefited from fishing industry, problems that faced them in fishing industry and what could be done to help them. The research was conducted by using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A case study design was used for which the survey was conducted in April and May 2014 in Chwaka village in Zanzibar. Systematic sampling and purposive sampling were used as part of sampling design of this research. Data for this study were collected using interviews and Questionnaires from a total of 112 respondents that include local fishers, local leaders and government officials from fisheries department. The analyzed data were presented in the form of descriptions, tables with frequencies and percentages, and figures. The findings of the study revealed that fishing industry has not made a significant contribution towards contributing the fisher’s life in Chwaka village. The study also revealed that in order to improve fishing industry the government was supposed to make good policies and implemented them, so as to support fishing industry likewise given an appropriate assistance to local fishers to improve fishing industry in coastal areas. The study recommends that in order for the fishing industry to be more successful, in promoting fishers livelihoods in coastal areas, fishers should be educated to the importance of protecting marine resource, also the government and other institutions should give special assistance to the local fishers in order to make fishing industry to be sustainable.