Drivers of Blue Economy in Luzon, Philippines: Status, Threats, and Potentials for Development

Abstract

Blue economy refers to sustainable economic pursuits done in the marine environment, which include fishing and aquaculture, coastal recreation and tourism, maritime industry, energy industry, and offshore mining and quarrying. In Luzon, marine waters contribute 38.44% to the total national fishery production, host 44.6% of the total domestic trade by water transport, host 3 of the top 5 beach destinations in the Philippines, and has the only productive oil and natural gas fields in the country. Fishery, however, is described as unsustainable brought primarily by depleted fishery resources, degraded fishery habitats, intensified resource use competition, and conflict. The fishery resource side is described to have unrealized potential, with uncompetitive product quality, and inefficient post-harvest technology. The Maritime industry’s potential is challenged by a fragmented maritime administration while the prospects of marine tourism are limited by the skills of local communities to take in tourists. Opportunities include optimization of aquaculture technology, sustainable financing schemes for aquaculture and tourism, infrastructure investments that promote sustainable fishing practices, sustainable financing scheme, enhancement of existing technology for the maritime industry, human resource development, and tapping ocean power potentials. Coordinated and integrated planning, considering skills of human resources, economic status of coastal communities, and scientific data would optimize blue economic development.