This policy brief draws on an assessment of Zanzibar’s institutional, legal, and policy frameworks, informed by a literature review, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions (Shalli et al. 2025). It identifies key institutional, social, and governance challenges that limit the effectiveness of incentive-based approaches, and proposes practical reforms to strengthen implementation. The brief highlights how better integration of social protection, fisheries management, and coastal conservation can support more inclusive, resilient, and effective fisheries governance in Zanzibar.