Blueprint for Blue Economy implementation

Abstract

Many nations aspire to development of the Blue Economy (BE), however, the concept remains vague and there is wide need for a practical framework for implementation and evaluation of success. Based on our experience in Australia and Canada, where there is increasing BE activity, new developments being added to areas with existing uses are leading to ocean crowding and increasing the risk of undesirable outcomes. We propose a blueprint for implementation of an integrated approach to BE in an area involving four steps: 1) articulation of common BE objectives (ecological, economic, social-cultural and governance), 2) development of a governance framework in which BE objectives can be applied in management of all activities in an area, 3) a process to address conflicts, risks and trade-offs, and 4) evaluation of cumulative effects and performance of management. We illustrate the blueprint using candidate objectives relevant to the addition of offshore wind energy development. While there is a potential problem under BE for ocean crowding and for ‘plan crowding’ caused by a proliferation of sector-based planning, we suggest that there is the potential for the BE concept, properly implemented, to assist in overcoming long-standing deficiencies in existing sector-based approaches and to avoid deficiencies in planning and management associated with new or expanding BE industries. Implementation of BE will also facilitate achieving ambitious aspirations associated with national and international initiatives including the High Level Oceans Panel and Sustainable Development Goals.