The world’s oceans, seas, and coastal areas are the largest ecosystems on the planet and a precious part of our natural heritage. They are also vital to the livelihoods and food security of billions of people around the world, and to the economic prosperity of most countries.
The ability of these marine environments to provide jobs and nutrition over the long term is, however, already under pressure from human economic activities; and it is being further threatened by development approaches that are fragmented, uncoordinated, and often in conflict with what science tells us is physically possible or ecologically sound. Fortunately, key players are becoming more aware of the need for a more coherent, integrated and fair approach.
Active leadership is needed, in both the public and private sectors, to steer the Blue Economy in a sustainable direction. This includes delivering on commitments already made – globally, regionally, nationally and locally.
A SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY is a marine-based economy that:
- Provides social and economic benefits for current and future generations, by contributing to food security, poverty eradication, livelihoods, income, employment, health, safety, equity, and political stability.
- Restores, protects and maintains the diversity, productivity, resilience, core functions, and intrinsic value of marine ecosystems – the natural capital upon which its prosperity depends.
- Is based on clean technologies, renewable energy, and circular material flows to secure economic and social stability over time, while keeping within the limits of one planet.
WWF, Baltic Ecoregion Programme
The blue economy has diverse components, including established traditional ocean industries such as fisheries, tourism, and maritime transport, but also new and emerging activities, such as offshore renewable energy, aquaculture, seabed extractive activities, and marine biotechnology and bioprospecting. A number of services provided by ocean ecosystems, and for which markets do not exist, also contribute significantly to economic and other human activity such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, waste disposal and the existence of biodiversity.
Some sectors in the Blue Economy
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Waste Management
- Renewable Energy
- Logistics: Ports and Shipping
- Mining
- Marine Biotechnology, Research and Development
