The Blue Economy: Sustaining Ocean Resources for Prosperity.

A United Nations representative recently defined the Blue Economy as an economy that "comprises a range of economic sectors and related policies that together determine whether the use of ocean resources is sustainable. According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the "sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.”  The ‘blue economy concept’ provides a more holistic vision that embraces economic growth – when it is sustainable and does not damage other sectors. Similar to the ‘green economy’, the blue economy brings human well-being, social equity and environmental sustainability into harmony.

The blue economy embraces economic opportunities but it also protects and develops more intangible ‘blue’ resources such as traditional ways of life, carbon sequestration and coastal resilience in order to help vulnerable states mitigate the devastating effects of poverty and climate change.

The blue economy concept also seeks to promote economic growth, social inclusion and preservation or improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability—all issues integral to the 2030 Agenda.

In particular the blue economy concept focuses mainly on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) 2,8,9 13 and 14. This shows how the blue economy plays a central role in the accomplishment of the 2030 Agenda.  Outlined  below is the connection between the blue economy and the SDGS mentioned above. 

SDG 2, Zero Hunger  is about creating a world free of hunger by 2030. Sustainable fisheries contribute to food protection by providing an essential supply of protein for hundreds of thousands of humans internationally. The Blue Economy promotes responsible fishing practices and aquaculture innovation that is currently helping SDG 2's purpose of ending hunger and providing meals to persons around the globe.  

SDG 8,  Decent Work and Economic Growth  promotes sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. The Blue Economy generates employment possibilities and fosters economic increase, mainly in coastal groups and developing nations. Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology creates jobs and stimulate economic growth and development whilst ensuring the long-term health of the oceans. By promoting sustainable practices in those sectors, the Blue Economy contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic increase which aligns with the goals of SDG 8.  

SDG 9,  Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure seeks to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. The Blue Economy drives innovation and funding in marine technologies, infrastructure, and sustainable practices. This includes advancements in marine renewable electricity, marine biotechnology, and ocean observing systems. Through innovation and construction of resilient infrastructure, the Blue Economy can contribute to SDG 9’s objective of promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation. 

SDG 13, Climate Action focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Ocean-based renewable energy sources, which include offshore wind power, plays an important role  in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. To combat climate change and biodiversity loss, blue-carbon projects can be implemented, where carbon can be stored in marine environments such as whales, which can store large amounts of carbon, and seagrass meadows that can capture and sequester carbon at a greater rate than tropical rainforests. (Sinay Marine Data Solution) . 

Lastly, SDG 14, Life Below Water, addresses the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine sources. The Blue Economy promotes practices that guide marine biodiversity, prevent overfishing, reduce marine pollutants and guard coastal ecosystems. Initiatives together with marine included areas, sustainable fisheries control, and marine renewable power projects contribute to attaining SDG 14.

However, while the Blue Economy does offer promising avenues for economic growth and prosperity, it is not without its challenges. The sustainability of our oceans, the cornerstone of the Blue Economy, faces  threats that jeopardize their ability to support life and livelihoods. In this section, we will go into some of the most pressing challenges to ocean sustainability and explore how they intersect with the principles of the Blue Economy. Overfishing and unsustainable fisheries practices remain some of the most significant threats to marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.  For example, in Belize, overfishing has broadly and negatively impacted marine species and the condition of Belize's reefs and atolls is declining. A 2006 survey of 140 reefs throughout Belize found that live coral cover had declined from approximately 30% in 1995 to an average of 11%. Another study found that an atoll reef lagoon at Glover’s Reef, Belize that had once been very healthy with a 75% coral cover now has less than 20% coral cover because of algae over-growth. Bottom trawling is one of the most destructive ways to catch fish, and is responsible for up to half of all discarded fish and marine life worldwide (Kelleher 2005). Valuable fish, turtles, seabirds, marine mammals and other animals are all captured and discarded by bottom trawls, and many do not survive (Morgan & Chuenpagdee 2003).In the Gulf of Mexico, scientists estimate that for every pound of shrimp caught, between four and ten pounds of marine resources are thrown away (Harrington et al. 2005, Nance and Scott-Denton 1997, Alverson et al. 1994). Shrimp trawling in the Caribbean and Central America also has high discard rates, with shrimp trawls in Panama discarding more than 80% of their catch (Teutscher 1999 in Kelleher 2005). 

Another challenge facing ocean sustainability is marine pollution. Worryingly, marine pollution is reaching extreme levels, with over 17 million metric tons clogging the ocean in 2021, a figure set to double or triple by 2040(UN Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023). 

Plastic is the most harmful type of ocean pollution. Currently, the ocean’s average pH is 8.1 which is about 30 per cent more acidic than in pre- industrial times.  In particular, plastic pollution is a main source of marine pollution with plastic waste making up 80% of all marine pollution and around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year. Research states that, by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea. In the last ten years, we have produced more plastic products than in the previous century.(UNESCO Ocean Literacy). 

In addition to overfishing, unsustainable fisheries practices and marine pollution there exists unsustainable coastal development, including urbanization, infrastructure projects, and tourism activities also contribute to the challenges faced to ensure ocean sustainability.  Tourism activities such as cruise tourism contribute negatively to ocean sustainability. 

According to a study by the Environmental Protection Agency, a single cruise ship can generate as much pollution as a small city. This pollution can harm marine life, damage coral reefs, and degrade water quality, impacting the region’s ecology. Cruise ships improperly dispose of waste in the harbors within different countries. The waste is taken up by waves and taken out to sea. It reaches the coral reefs causing them to die as there is not enough sunlight that is able to reach them. Urbanization along coastlines exacerbates pollution and nutrient runoff into marine environments. Increased human activities, such as industrial discharge and runoff from paved surfaces, introduce pollutants such as heavy metals and pathogens into coastal waters. This pollution can lead to eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and degradation of water quality, posing risks to marine life and public health.

To any problem there is always a solution; and fortunately its the same with the topic of ocean sustainability.  With respect to fishing; there can be the implementation of fishing seasons such as those in Belize, enforcement of minimum size weight for fish, education- for fishermen on the importance of parrot fish and grouper to the environment. With respect to tourism, there can be the promotion of ecotourism, proper disposal of waste, environmental training for staff and the mandatory implementation of the Green Globe Certificate for businesses. For the reduction in unsustainable coastal development, policies such as those of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), Green Infrastructure Development and Pollution Prevention and Control Measures. These policy changes can address unsustainable coastal development and governments can advance the principles of the Blue Economy while promoting sustainable management of ocean resources.

These policies not only aim to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of coastal development but also seek to harness the economic potential of coastal areas in a sustainable manner. 

Linkedin: Jelon Thomas

Instagram: centrist_pediatrician

Name: Jelon Thomas

Age:17

Place of Citizenship: Trinidad and Tobago

References:

1. Frontiers. “Article | Frontiers.” Frontiersin.org, 2019, www.frontiersin.org/articles/.

2. Belize – Fisheries Management | Reef Resilience. reefresilience.org/case-studies/belize-fisheries-management-2/.

3. Fava, Marta. “Ocean Plastic Pollution an Overview: Data and Statistics.” Ocean Literacy Portal, UNESCO, 9 May 2022, oceanliteracy.unesco.org/plastic-pollution-ocean/.

4. Stiles, Margot, et al. Impacts of Bottom Trawling on Fisheries, Tourism, and the Marine Environment. 2010.

5. “Exploring the Link between Sustainable Development Goals and the Sea.” Https://Sinay.ai/, sinay.ai/en/which-sdgs-are-linked-to-the-sea-and-how-to-support-them/

6. Nations, United. “Diving into the Blue Economy.” United Nations, www.un.org/en/desa/diving-blueeconomy#:~:text=How%20can%20building%20a%20blue.