Dissertation (MSc Natural Resources Management)The study assessed the role of indigenous knowledge on management of shellfish, in Nungwi and Bumbwini villages at North region, Unguja. Data were collected by using questionnaire survey, group discussion and key informants’ interviews. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.0 and Microsoft excel, was used to analyse quantitative data. Content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The study revealed that, indigenous knowledge found to be an essential means of achieving broader and more diverse aspect, for shellfish management, though most of indigenous knowledge/practices are used for the purpose of harvesting shellfish rather than, for conservation or management purposes. It was also noted that, traditional fishing knowledge/practice in the study area, was found to have corresponding effects with modern fishing knowledge and through documenting it, connection of local coastal community and government officers and involved the community in making research; which would be easily integrated to modern knowledge. The main challenges and weakness, undermined the use of traditional knowledge in the study area were the improvement of knowledge, fishers were attacked by marine creatures and its limitation to deep water. The study concludes that, the noted indigenous knowledge should be improved in a scientific manner to make them with more positive impacts, toward the management strategies of shellfish and marine ecosystem.