Blue Economy Research Articles

Balancing protection and production in ocean conservation

AbstractWith the acceleration of the global biodiversity and climate crises, the need to protect and sustainably manage ocean resources has never been greater. However, the science needed to integrate ocean protection (through marine protected areas and OECMs) and sustainable production in the blue economy (particularly pelagic fisheries) remains underdeveloped and contested. The scientific divide and the knowledge gaps still remaining have created serious real-world challenges for practitioners seeking to reconcile protection and production approaches, and is hindering progress in achieving global conservation targets. Here, we identify the vital science necessary to bring together the “twin pillars” of protection and production, integrating mutually reinforcing meaningful protections at scale, while also driving management of production systems to internationally accepted sustainability standards. The research community must rapidly develop this new horizon of ocean science – particularly in pelagic ecosystems - to aid countries and practitioners in achieving global conservation and sustainable development targets.

Exploring the Nexus between the Blue Economy and Information Technologies: A Systematic Literature Review of Information Systems in Pacific Fisheries and Aquaculture

The blue economy has garnered significant importance over the years as a major driver for sustainable economic growth in the Pacific region through the efficient utilization of marine resources. While a thorough examination of the whole gamut of information about information and communication technologies (ICT) gains momentum, establishing a cohesive perspective on pivotal findings within blue economy research, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture, becomes essential for maximizing the potential of this interdisciplinary field. Consequently, Information Systems (IS) researchers, through a comprehensive review of pertinent literature, can contribute significantly to this emerging body of knowledge. Our review, which encompasses 32 papers published from 2012 to 2022, focuses on the application of information technologies to Pacific fisheries and aquaculture. The prevailing literature enhances our understanding of the adoption and utilization of ICTs (i.e. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and satellite imaging, database management systems and other emerging technologies) within the blue economy. In this paper, we provide discussions on recent technological advancements and future research directions to encourage IS researchers to develop an effective cumulative tradition of research.

Blueprint for Blue Economy implementation

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.

Fiqh al-Bī'ah and the Concept of Green and Blue Economy for Achieving Sustainable Development in the Context of SDGs

This study aims to explore existing literature on Fiqh al-Bī’ah's role in the Green and Blue Economy concepts to achieve Sustainable Development, specifically examining implementation, principles, roles, and objectives aligned with Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah. The literature review identified two primary themes: first, the SDGs' foundational principles within the green and blue economy frameworks, and second, Fiqh al-Bī’ah's viewpoint on these economic models. The findings demonstrate the enactment of green and blue economies through SDGs Principles, incorporating people as principal agents in upholding and executing the green and blue economy to realize SDGs across multiple facets, including environmental, social, economic, and legal governance; Planet, which entails diverse measures to safeguard the earth from degradation in terrestrial, marine, and aerial realms; Prosperity, highlighting efforts towards achieving prosperity through economic, social, and technological initiatives; Peace, emphasizing endeavors towards establishing peace, justice, and an inclusive society free from fear and violence, alongside securing environmental safety; and Partnership, involving collaborative efforts in global development with both government and non-government entities to maintain and conserve the environment. Additionally, Fiqh al-Bī’ah in the Green Economy is characterized by safeguarding the body and soul, aligning worldly and afterlife goals, ensuring balanced production and consumption, preserving ecosystem equilibrium, upholding the dignity of all beings, and humans fulfilling their stewardship on earth. The Blue Economy includes Zero Waste, ecosystem protection, promoting environmental cleanliness and friendliness, resource utilization efficiency, and encouraging social inclusiveness and employment creation.

Implementation Strategy For Fishery Processing Business Based On Blue Economy

This study investigates the readiness and capacity of the East Fakfak district community to transform fish into micro-small scale business products, aiming to contribute to the blue economy's development and enhance their welfare. Employing a semi-qualitative research approach through surveys, the research team, including surveyors, engaged in direct observation and conducted comprehensive interviews across all villages in East Fakfak. The objective was to assess the community's preparedness to process fish into preserved products that are marketable, high-quality, and possess unique organoleptic qualities characteristic of Fakfak. The analysis revealed a prevalent unfamiliarity among the East Fakfak district inhabitants with fish processing technologies. A traditional preference for consuming fresh fish, attributed to the ease of access to fish resources, has significantly hampered the advancement of fishery product processing in the region. This study underscores a critical need for introducing and fostering fish processing knowledge and technologies among the community. By educating and equipping the local populace with the necessary skills and resources to undertake sustainable fish processing, there lies a potential to unlock a new avenue for economic development. Such initiatives would not only diversify income sources but also ensure the longevity and sustainability of fishery resources, pivotal to the prosperity of East Fakfak's blue economy

Seasonal variability of coastal pH and CO2 using an oceanographic buoy in the Canary Islands

Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere into the ocean, ranks among the most critical consequences of climate change for marine ecosystems. Most studies have examined pH and CO2 trends in the open ocean through oceanic time-series research. The analysis in coastal waters, particularly in island environments, remains relatively underexplored. This gap in our understanding is particularly important given the profound implications of these changes for coastal ecosystems and the blue economy. The present study focuses on the ongoing monitoring effort that started in March 2020 along the east coast of Gran Canaria, within the Gando Bay, by the CanOA-1 buoy. This monitoring initiative focuses on the systematic collection of multiple variables within the CO2 system, such as CO2 fugacity (fCO2), pH (in total scale, pHT), total inorganic carbon (CT), and other hydrographic variables including sea surface salinity (SSS), sea surface temperature (SST) and wind intensity and direction. Accordingly, the study allows the computation of the CO2 flux (FCO2) between the surface waters and the atmosphere. During the study period, stational (warm and cold periods) behavior was found for all the variables. The lowest SST values were recorded in March, with a range of 18.8-19.3°C, while the highest SST were observed in September and October, ranging from 24.5-24.8°C. SST exhibited an annual increase with a rate of 0.007°C yr-1. Warmer months increased SSS, while colder periods, influenced by extreme events like tropical storms, led to lower salinity (SSS=34.02). The predominant Trade Winds facilitated the arrival of deeper water, replenishing seawater. The study provided insights into atmospheric CO2. Atmospheric fCO2 averaged 415 ± 4 µatm (2020-2023). Surface water fCO2sw presented variability, with the highest values recorded in September and October, peaking at 437 µatm in September 2021. The lowest values for fCO2sw were found in February 2021 (368 µatm). From 2020 to 2023, surface water fCO2sw values displayed an increasing rate of 1.9 µatm yr-1 in the study area. The assessment of fCO2sw decomposition into thermal and non-thermal processes revealed the importance of SST on the fCO2sw. Nevertheless, in the present study, it is crucial to remark the impact of non-thermal factors on near-shallow coastal regions. Our findings highlight the influence of physical factors such as tides, and wind effect to horizontal mixing in these areas. The CT showed a mean concentration of 2113 ± 8 μmol kg-1 and pH at in-situ temperature (pHT,IS) has a mean value of 8.05 ± 0.02. The mean FCO2 from 2020 to 2023 was 0.34 ± 0.04 mmol m-2 d-1 (126 ± 13 mmol m-2 yr-1) acting as a slight CO2 source. In general, between May and December were the months when the area was a source of CO2. Extrapolating to the entire 6 km2 of Gando Bay, the region sourced 33 ± 4 Tons of CO2 yr-1.

Slaying the Toothless Tiger: Social Equity as the Legal Element of the Blue Economy

The ‘blue economy’ is slowly emerging as a catch-all concept that captures the goals of sustaining economic development opportunities while simultaneously maintaining ocean ecosystem health. However, identifying the scope and boundaries of the blue economy has proven to be a challenging task. The aim of this article is to provide a new approach to finding a practical definition of the blue economy. Social equity is noted as the legal component and balancing mechanism that operates between the economy and the environment. This legal compensation mechanism has so far only been rudimentarily elaborated on in governance texts and must be given concrete form through legal methods and, in particular, through the creation of an institutional and procedural framework. The article introduces the idea that an advanced legal concept for the blue economy can be realised by using existing administrative processes and by strengthening the participation of private actors within these processes.

The impact of blue and green lending on credit portfolios: a commercial banking perspective

The impact of blue and green lending on credit portfolios: a commercial banking perspective

Advancing Marine-Bearing Capacity and Economic Growth: A Comprehensive Analysis of Blue Economy Resilience, Network Evolution, and Technological Influences in China’s Coastal Areas

This study presents a groundbreaking approach to evaluating the resilience of China’s blue economy, shedding light on its critical role in promoting sustainable development along the nation’s coastlines. By employing advanced methodologies such as social network analysis and the time-varying effect random graph model (TERGM), our research meticulously examines the period from 2007 to 2019. It uncovers the complex dynamics of resilience, focusing on the adversities of unbalanced growth and pinpointing pivotal factors which shape this resilience, including the stability of the marine economy, the rigor of environmental regulations, and the impact of technological progress. Through a strategic compilation of indicators, our analysis offers a detailed perspective on the multi-faceted nature of blue economy resilience. The outcomes underscore the necessity of enhancing network effectiveness and implementing specific measures to encourage sustainable expansion in coastal domains. Leveraging these insights, we advocate for targeted strategies to refine the resilience network’s framework, aiming to bolster the sustainable evolution of marine economic activities. This study not only deepens the understanding of marine economic resilience but also charts a course for achieving a resilient and sustainable blue economy. It stands as an indispensable guide for policymakers and scholars in the realm of marine economics, offering a blueprint for navigating the challenges and opportunities within this vital sector.

Does the incorporation of shell waste from aquaculture in the construction of marine facilities affect the structure of the marine sessile community?

The growth of the human population causes significant harm to ecosystems, directly affecting the biological diversity of coastal areas by replacing natural habitats with artificial structures such as breakwaters, ports, and marinas. The hard substrate from those marine facilities lacks the topographic complexity of natural habitats. Because of that, artificial habitats usually do not support a diverse community to the same extent as rocky shores in the surroundings. To address this issue and bring a strategic solution to the improper disposal of shell waste from aquaculture farms, we evaluated how increasing the environmental heterogeneity of walls by incorporating mussel and oyster shells on artificial concrete affected the diversity of sessile organisms from the subtidal zone. Adding shells to concrete positively affected ascidians' richness. Substrates with added shells supported more species than flat substrates in total. They promoted species that did not occur on flat substrates that simulated the traditional walls of marinas and harbors. However, it did not affect the number of bryozoans and the average species richness. Consequently, incorporating shells resulted in communities with completely distinct structures from those on flat substrates. Adding shells affected the community structure, reducing the dominance by the exotic bryozoan Schizoporella errata, and promoting the occurrence of other groups, such as ascidians. Using shell residues from aquaculture on marina walls adds substrate for colonization. Still, it is also likely to provide refuges for fragile and vulnerable organisms, like crevices and pits in natural habitats. Because of that, the increment in diversity was mostly group-specific and restricted to ascidians. This research reinforces the importance of creating complex artificial coastal structures, inspired by the blue economy, for a more heterogeneous coverage of sessile communities and reduced presence and dominance of exotic species. Thus, the strategy tested here, besides the effects on the sessile community, also supports efforts to reduce inappropriate waste disposal in the environment.

Enhancing green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) conservation for tourists at Little Liuqiu island, Taiwan: Application of deep learning algorithms

Observing marine life has emerged as a pivotal catalyst for the growth of the Blue Economy. Yet, overzealous and recurrent observations may exert undue stress on marine creatures, thereby complicating the sustainable management of marine assets. After the easing of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, a notable influx of tourists to Little Liuqiu Island, Taiwan puts considerable stress on its green sea turtle population. This surge intensified incidents of illegal harassment, triggering concerns from both the local community and administrative bodies. The prevailing challenge is to ensure tourists observe these turtles with respect, refraining from behaviors such as touching or pursuing them. Addressing this, our study harnesses deep learning algorithms to equip ecotourism operators and tourists with tools to detect green sea turtles across diverse coastal terrains, reinforcing conservation efforts. Our analysis scrutinized object detection AI models, namely YOLOv3, YOLOv5s, and YOLOv5l. Fieldwork was undertaken on the island to gather ample training images, capturing elusive green sea turtles in various settings, from coastline strolls to drone imagery. Supplemental images sourced from local social media platforms were later added. Contrary to expectations, we found that merely expanding the training dataset did not guarantee improved outcomes. Instead, the variance in image content, considering distances, angles, and turtle appearances, played a pivotal role in enhancing model precision. Through our experimentation, the streamlined YOLOv5s model consistently eclipsed its more complex counterparts in performance. An AI service, underpinned by the YOLOv5s model, has been launched to distinguish between green sea turtle types for tourist-focused conservation initiatives. Future iterations will incorporate user feedback to refine accuracy. Our research breaks new ground, spotlighting the intricacies of gathering natural environment data, pinpointing optimal AI models, and evaluating their practical implications for green sea turtle conservation.

Contribution and Prospect of Marine Fisheries in the Economy of Bangladesh and Sustainable Blue Economy Challenges: A Review

Marine resources of Bangladesh are abundant, both in terms of huge sea area and its biological richness. The marine water area supports a large number of commercially important fin fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and seaweeds, offering significant economic potential due to their diversified use and high demand in the international market. Therefore, the current review comprehensively examines both the contribution and potentials of marine fisheries resources to the economy, as well as the challenges involved in marine fisheries sectors in attaining a sustainable blue economy in Bangladesh. The study revealed that, the marine fisheries plays an important role in national economy and has huge prospect in employment generation and ensuring food security of Bangladesh. The expansion of mariculture and effective utilization of marine resources will open a new window for the economic development of Bangladesh. Marine fisheries production of Bangladesh has increased over the last two decades, but its relative share in total fisheries production has declined. Despite being rich in marine living resources, commercial mariculture has been developed only for shrimp, prawn, and mud crab. Challenges hindering mariculture expansion includes limited research, technological deficiencies, inadequate skilled workforce, underdeveloped domestic seafood markets, and financial constraints. Concerted efforts including exploring new fishing grounds, conducting stock assessments, implementing scientific management strategies, enacting a national marine fisheries policy, enforcing legislation, and establishing robust surveillance and monitoring mechanisms are required to foster a sustainable blue economy in Bangladesh.

Blue Circular Economy—Reuse and Valorization of Bivalve Shells: The Case of Algarve, Portugal

The Circular Economy emerges as an alternative to reinvent the linear production model (take–make–waste), focusing on reintegrating waste into the production cycle, and aiming to minimize both environmental disposal and the unrestrained extraction of raw materials. In this context, the concept of Blue Economy arises, an approach centered on preserving and valorizing marine and coastal resources. This article aims to develop a model for the circuit of bivalve shells, emphasizing the transformation of the residues into new products and identifying how these processes affect sociocultural, economic, and environmental dimensions. The methodology involved the surveying of local stakeholders directly involved in bivalve production and consumption to identify the relationship of these stakeholders with the production, marketing, and disposal of bivalves. It is concluded that biowaste has potential, and there is interest among local stakeholders in reusing it, but a lack of knowledge and connection among stakeholders ultimately leads to the devaluation of the product. The circuit of bivalves is necessary to identify value, propose correct collection, and stimulate interest in their reuse, both by other industries and by the aquaculture industry itself. Exploring the potential for reusing bivalves and mitigating their waste, as well as preventing improper disposal, could drive the development of the Blue Circular Economy in coastal regions.

An optimized protocol for routine development of cell culture from adult oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis.

Marine molluscan cell lines, required for virus screening and cultivation, form essential tools for developing health management strategies for these animals in the blue economy. Moreover, they are also crucial to develop cultivated seafood. As there is no valid marine molluscan cell line, primary cell cultures are relied upon for all investigations. A sound protocol for generating primary cell cultures from molluscs is entailed, but existing protocols often involve heavy antibiotic usage and depuration that invariably affect gene expression and cell health. This work presents an easy-to-adopt, time-saving protocol using non-depurated mollusc Crassostrea madrasensis, which requires only initial antibiotic treatment and minimal exposure or no use of antibiotics in the cell culture medium. The important experimental considerations for arriving at this protocol have been elucidated. Accordingly, sodium hypochlorite and neomycin sulfate were chosen for disinfecting tissues. The study is the first to use shrimp cell culture medium (SCCM) as a cell culture medium for molluscan cell culture. Despite being osmoconformers, the oysters exhibited stable intracellular osmotic conditions and pH, which, when provided in vitro, promoted effective cardiomyocyte formation. The cell viability could be enhanced using 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), but healthy cell culture could also be obtained using SCCM without FBS. The optimized culture conditions allowed for regular beating cardiomyocyte clusters that could be retained for a month. Limited cell proliferation, as shown by the BrdU assay, demands further interventions, such as possibly producing induced pluripotent stem cells. The optimized protocol and culture conditions also align with some requirements for producing cultivated meat from marine molluscs.

Evolving blue development discourses and policies: Salmon farming industry and regional making in Chile

As the second biggest producer of salmon after Norway, Chile is one of the leading forces of aquaculture with a long history of being strongly focused on international markets. Based on contributions from critical geography, political ecology and the sociology of globalization, the article analyses the dominant narratives and policies deployed by the Chilean government and the salmon farming industry in successive contexts of boom and crisis of production activity in the archipelago of Chiloé (Los Lagos Region). In a context of a word-wide growing interest in the capabilities of the blue economy, a discourse analysis of governmental, industrial, and public-private institutional documents, together with semi-structured interviews to a broad number of stakeholders contributes to advance the understanding of and learn from the evolution and challenges faced by one the longest world’s salmon aquaculture leaders. The research identifies five discursive and policies phases over more than four decades of development. From an initial narrative that defines the region as “empty” and uses the discourse on salmon farming to justify territorial integration policies (1973–1982); to a second period in which the fostering of the salmon farming in the southern region served as a catalyst of national economic growth interests (1983–1994). It follows a boom phase characterized by the capitalization on the blue revolution discourse (1995–2006), which lasted until the territorial crisis resulting from the ISA virus, and the expansion of the industry towards southern regions (2007–2015). The analysis reveals a fifth phase starting in 2016 and ongoing by 2023, which characterized by the emergency and implementation of a new administrative right over coastal-marine areas to safeguard the traditional uses of indigenous communities, starts to challenge the long-standing hegemony of the salmon farming industry in Chile.

Life cycle environmental impacts of kelp aquaculture through harmonized recalculation of inventory data

As seaweed farming gains prominence in future blue economies, scientifically robust environmental evaluations are vital. Harmonizing life cycle assessment (LCA) studies provides nuanced insights, allowing generalizations and potentially more accurate results than individual studies. This study recalculates life cycle inventory (LCI) data to offer a comprehensive perspective on sugar kelp Saccharina latissima. The findings affirm and validate previous studies, emphasizing critical hotspots such as fuel use for boats at sea, impacts from the use of plastic ropes, buoys and metal components at sea, and electrical energy use in the hatchery. The overall environmental impacts of seaweed farming remain relatively low compared to other seafood and biomass sources. The study also highlights the importance of how fuel use is modelled for the outcome. While harmonization enhances certainty and facilitates robust comparisons, challenges arise from the lack of standardized methods for data collection and reporting, along with data gaps between studies. Addressing these limitations calls for standardized protocols and improved data sharing practices in the field.

Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions in Expanding The Blue Economy in Sri Lanka: Special Reference to The Fisheries Sector

Purpose: The blue economy emphasizes the sustainable utilization of marine resources to promote economic growth, create job opportunities, and enhance livelihoods while ensuring the protection of the ocean ecosystem. The blue economy comprises a variety of activities such as fisheries, aquaculture and Mari culture, marine and coastal tourism, boat and shipbuilding, seaports and shipping, marine transportation, renewable energy, offshore hydrocarbons and minerals, and marine biotechnology. The primary objective of this research is to identify the opportunities and challenges in expanding the blue economy in Sri Lanka, with a focus on the fisheries sector.
 Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative research method was employed for data collection, using key person interviews with 20 Sri Lankan blue economy stakeholders. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.
 Findings: The study identified several opportunities, including the introduction of a sound VMS and forecasting system, technology improvement, properly trained human resources, reducing post-harvest loss, value addition to the fish, and diversification towards aquaculture and Mari culture. The study also identified challenges such as limited access to finance, lack of infrastructure, and weak governance. With the right policies and management practices in place, the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka can achieve sustainable development, contribute to the country's economic growth, and provide livelihoods for fishers and their communities.
 Originality: Though Sri Lanka is an Island, ideal for practicing the blue economy, the attention given by the scholars and practitioners to develop the sector is not sufficient.  This study stands out for its thorough examination of opportunities and challenges in expanding Sri Lanka's blue economy, with a specific emphasis on the fisheries sector.
 Implications: The theoretical contribution lies in the identification of opportunities and challenges in expanding the blue economy, particularly within the fisheries sector. This research significantly contributes to guiding policymakers and stakeholders to develop strategies for the sustainable growth and management of the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka.
 Keywords: Blue Economy, Fisheries, value addition, Post-harvest loss

Climate change impacts on the tourism sector of the Spanish Mediterranean coast: Medium-term projections for a climate services tool

The Mediterranean Sea is a climate change hotspot since it provides a magnified warming signal. Heavily populated areas (e.g., Spanish Mediterranean coasts) are vulnerable to negative socio-economic impacts. This is particularly important for climate-related economic sectors such as coastal tourism, the focus of this paper. To promote a sustainable development of these activities and provide key information to stakeholders, it is necessary to anticipate changes in climate. Thus, it is fundamental to use climate modelling tools which account for air-sea interactions, which largely determine the climate signal of the Mediterranean coasts. In this paper, a set of regional air-sea coupled climate model simulations from Med-CORDEX are used to (i) study the climatic conditions on the Spanish Mediterranean coasts in the next decade(s) and (ii) to assess the possibility of extending the coastal tourist season towards spring-fall. We show that climate conditions are getting warmer and drier in the area, especially in summer. Heat waves and heavy precipitation will become more frequent. Thermal discomfort will increase in summer and summer conditions are extending towards spring and fall. Our work remarks the urgent need of adaptation measures of the sector, including the extension of the high tourist season to spring-fall, especially in the long term. We make a special effort to compile a set of adaptation measures for stakeholders. This study is part of the project ECOAZUL-MED, which aims to create a climate service tool to optimize the management of relevant sectors of the blue economy in the Spanish Mediterranean coasts.

Spatial structuring of Mediterranean fisheries landings in relation to their seasonal and long-term fluctuations

The Western Mediterranean fisheries significantly contribute to the regional blue economy, despite evidence of ongoing, widespread overexploitation of stocks. Understanding the spatial distribution and population dynamics of species is crucial for comprehending fisheries dynamics combining local and regional scales, although the underlying processes are often neglected. In this study, we aimed to (i) evaluate the seasonal and long-term spatio-temporal fluctuations of crustacean, cephalopod, and fish populations in the Western Mediterranean, (ii) determine whether these fluctuations are driven by the spatial structure of the fisheries or synchronic species fluctuations, and (iii) compare groupings according to the individual species and life history-based groups. We used dynamic factor analysis to detect underlying patterns in a Landing Per Unit Effort (LPUE) time series (2009–2020) for 23 commercially important species and 33 ports in the Western Mediterranean. To verify the spatial structure of ports and species groupings we investigated the seasonal and long-term spatio-temporal fluctuations and common LPUE trends that exhibit non-homogeneous and species-specific trends, highlighting the importance of life history, environmental and demographic preferences. Long-term trends revealed spatial segregation with a north-south gradient, demonstrating complex population structures of Western Mediterranean resources. Seasonal patterns exhibited a varying spatial aggregation based on species-port combinations. These findings can inform the Common Fishery Policy on gaps challenging their regionalisation objectives in the Mediterranean Sea. We highlight the need for a nuanced and flexible approach and a better understanding of sub-regional processes for effective management and conservation – a current challenge for global fisheries. Our LPUE approach provides insight into population dynamics and changes in regional fisheries, relevant beyond the Mediterranean Sea.

The current policyscape affecting land-sea interactions in the European Union

Coastal areas are the most populated and exploited territories by human activities, whose intensification strains terrestrial and marine ecosystems' environmental health and biodiversity. These anthropic dynamics interact with each other and with natural resources and geochemical processes that are fundamental assets for the land-sea continuum. These interconnections are addressed by the concept of Land-Sea Interactions. Although their consideration is required in the planning of the maritime space of European Union waters, clear indications of what exactly they comprise and how to manage them are yet to be produced. The scope of the research is to provide an overview of the current trans-sectoral policyscape of existing European acts that support the management of land-sea interactions. The resulting policy mapping, organized according to human activity clusters and common policy goals, describes a complex interlinkage among regulations and directives that also helps highlight the policy gaps to date in developing a blue economy (e.g., tourism and offshore energy production).