Livelihood initiatives are common within marine protected areas (MPAs) aiming for poverty alleviation or higher income opportunities. However, results can be mixed in reality, as well as change over time. Furthermore, who benefits is a key consideration, as results can vary based on inequalities, including gender. Here, the monetary outcomes of different livelihood strategies were investigated across three MPA regions in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Using a quantitative approach, the results show that livelihoods have shifted in a six-year period, with livelihood strategies differing in poverty incidence and income. Livelihood initiatives, namely seaweed farming and tourism, did not provide significantly higher monetary returns compared to long-standing livelihoods, such as fisheries. Seaweed farming showed income stability but a high poverty incidence predominantly within women-headed households. During the study period, men primarily remained in fisheries, whilst women shifted to small-scale businesses and fisheries, largely exiting seaweed farming. This underscores a need for adaptive, gender sensitive management within fast changing coastal contexts.

旨在减轻贫困或增加收入机会的生计举措在海洋保护区 (MPA) 内很常见。然而，现实中的结果可能是混杂的，并且会随着时间的推移而变化。此外，谁受益是一个关键考虑因素，因为结果可能因不平等（包括性别）而异。在这里，我们对坦桑尼亚桑给巴尔的三个 MPA 地区不同生计策略的货币结果进行了调查。使用定量方法，结果表明，生计在六年内发生了变化，生计策略在贫困发生率和收入方面有所不同。与渔业等长期生计相比，海藻养殖和旅游业等生计举措并没有带来明显更高的货币回报。海藻养殖收入稳定，但贫困发生率高，主要发生在以女性为户主的家庭中。在研究期间，男性主要从事渔业，而女性转向小规模企业和渔业，大部分退出海藻养殖。这强调了在快速变化的沿海环境中进行适应性、性别敏感管理的必要性。