A blue conservation economy framework for meeting Canada's marine biodiversity targets

Strengthening alliances for a sustainable blue economy and governance: Advancing the implementation of the SDGs in Murcia and Valencia Regions

Projecting the future of Canada’s ocean resources for a Blue Economy

Purpose This paper aims to digitally map the dynamic landscape of blue economy research and explore the potentials of bibliometric and data mining methodologies. It analyses the intersection of academic knowledge production and the financial resource allocation through the prisms of innovation and financial intermediation. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a double-methodological framework. The first consists of bibliometric methods using 1,070 publications from Scopus, analyzing co-offering key words, research trends and institutional productivity relating blue economy and finance. The second phase includes a data mining pipeline using linked data methodologies on the EU-funded blue economy projects from the CORDIS database using SPARQL. Stages include preprocessing, clustering, funding analysis and visual exploration of thematic and temporal trends. Findings The results show a strong alignment in the evolution between academic research and public funding priorities. Both analyses revealed an acceleration from 2013 – years on blue economy research, focusing on the topics of sustainable development, marine governance and technological innovation. Some strategic domains in EU projects, e.g. marine shipping, water cleaning and blue biotechnology, demonstrate a similar focus. At the same time, the thematic analyses revealed the imbalances of too strong and too weak thematic clusters, including re-search areas in marine tourism and coastal ecosystems. Research limitations/implications The bibliometric dataset focuses on the Scopus-indexed English publications, leaving out the potentiality of regional or policy-oriented papers. The funding analysis is exclusive for the EU projects, with a potential extension on a global scale. Potential work could include impact evaluations. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first that systematically applies bibliometric and funding-mapping da-ta mining to explore the Blue Economy research-policy nexus. This paper combines scientific publication trends with EU project funding data to analyze the degree of match between research activity and financial support in relation to blue economy. The results are actionable for the policymakers, financing agencies and researchers willing to align financial instruments with sustainability-driven innovation in marine systems.

The environmental sustainability of seaweed cultivation is gaining increased attention due to its potential to mitigate climate change, reduce eutrophication, and provide renewable biomass. This study assesses the environmental performance of the red seaweed Gracilaria sp. using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The analysis encompasses the full cultivation cycle, from seeding to storage, focussing on potential environmental impact categories such as global warming, acidification, eutrophication, ecotoxicity, human carcinogenic and human non-carcinogenic. The functional unit was 1 tonne of dry seaweed. Field data were collected from seaweed aquaculture farms, with a particular focuss on farming systems and environmental outputs, and were analysed using the ReCiPe 2016 v1.1 Midpoint (H) method in SimaPro version 9.3 with the Ecoinvent 3 database. The LCA results indicate the dominance of human carcinogenic impact with 152.98 kg 1,4-DCB, followed by freshwater ecotoxicity with 34.13 kg 1,4-DCB, marine ecotoxicity with 26.83 kg 1,4-DCB and freshwater eutrophication with 24.75 kg P eq. Packaging phase dominates most potential environmental impacts, followed by storage phase compared with other phases. Recommendations for reducing environmental impacts include reducing plastic-based materials, adopting renewable energy sources, integrating multi-trophic aquaculture systems, and conducting further research into nutrient management practices. This study has the potential to be the basis for improving environmental performance in the entire value chain of the seaweed industry towards supporting the implementation of the blue economy and green practices.

The environmental sustainability of seaweed cultivation is gaining increased attention due to its potential to mitigate climate change, reduce eutrophication, and provide renewable biomass. This study assesses the environmental performance of the red seaweed Gracilaria sp. using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The analysis encompasses the full cultivation cycle, from seeding to storage, focussing on potential environmental impact categories such as global warming, acidification, eutrophication, ecotoxicity, human carcinogenic and human non-carcinogenic. The functional unit was 1 tonne of dry seaweed. Field data were collected from seaweed aquaculture farms, with a particular focuss on farming systems and environmental outputs, and were analysed using the ReCiPe 2016 v1.1 Midpoint (H) method in SimaPro version 9.3 with the Ecoinvent 3 database. The LCA results indicate the dominance of human carcinogenic impact with 152.98 kg 1,4-DCB, followed by freshwater ecotoxicity with 34.13 kg 1,4-DCB, marine ecotoxicity with 26.83 kg 1,4-DCB and freshwater eutrophication with 24.75 kg P eq. Packaging phase dominates most potential environmental impacts, followed by storage phase compared with other phases. Recommendations for reducing environmental impacts include reducing plastic-based materials, adopting renewable energy sources, integrating multi-trophic aquaculture systems, and conducting further research into nutrient management practices. This study has the potential to be the basis for improving environmental performance in the entire value chain of the seaweed industry towards supporting the implementation of the blue economy and green practices.

This study, conducted on the Cap-Vert peninsula (Dakar, Senegal), examines the epifaunal communities associated with macroalgae, revealing significant variations depending on the species of algae. In 2023 (in situ samples), amphipods dominated most macroalgae, particularly Coralina officinalis (29.40%) (Rhodophyceae), Chlorophyceae (30.38%), and Codium sp. (29.38%) (Chlorophyceae). In 2022, copepods (76–92%) were most abundant on Sargassum spp. and Ulva spp., which had washed up on the beach. A significant link between epifaunal abundance and macroalgae species highlighted their ecological interdependence. These findings are of relevant interest for West Africa’s blue economy, where the growing exploitation of wild macroalgae could disrupt these ecosystems. Sustainable management must take into account epifaunal species, particularly those found on structurally important macroalgae (e.g., Corallina sp., Codium sp.). The study recommends including macroalgae-epifauna associations in biodiversity inventories, particularly in marine protected areas, and continuing research on influencing factors (e.g., algal morphology, environmental conditions). Mass strandings of Sargassum spp. and Ulva spp. can cause mortality in marine larvae and eggs, leading to a local reduction in recruitment. Future research integrating these conclusions could allow a more detailed analysis of the epifauna on macroalgae. Ecosystem approach is essential to strike a balance between economic development and biodiversity conservation.

Abstract. As part of the new Fisheries Act, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has made it a priority to disseminate its data publicly. The project proposed here is to create an open-access data product that includes most of the historical temperature and salinity profiles collected in Northwest Atlantic Ocean and its Arctic gateways. This project does not aim to replace a potential database, but rather provides an easily accessible and quality-controlled product that can inform fisheries management and support DFO priorities such as the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, Marine Spatial Planning and the Blue Economy. The Canadian Atlantic Shelf Temperature-Salinity (CASTS) data product consists of 853 748 individual casts (as of 22 August 2025) collected in a geographical zone corresponding to [35–80° N] and [42–100° W] since 1873. The data sources used to make this product were gathered from multiple sources, including DFO regional archives at the Maurice-Lamontagne Institute (MLI), the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO), and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Center (NAFC). Other sources of data include the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University, data from international ships of opportunity archived by the Marine Environmental Data Services (MEDS), and the Polar Data Catalog. This data product also offers new opportunities to review the changes in the ocean climate of Atlantic Canada, another priority of the Government of Canada. The analysis of these data collected over more than a century also reveals the profound changes undergone by the Northwest (NW) Atlantic Ocean during that period. Climate highlights include large decadal fluctuations of temperature and salinity throughout the entire zone, as well as sustained warming trends on the Scotian Shelf and the Bay of Fundy since the early 1990s, coinciding with an important freshening on the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf during the same period. The CASTS data product is available at https://doi.org/10.20383/103.01462 (Coyne et al., 2023).

In the global world Indonesia’s strategic position as the world’s largest archipelagic state provides significant potential for developing a sustainable blue economy. However, geographical fragmentation, technological gaps, and socio-cultural diversity require development strategies that integrate technological innovation with local wisdom. This study aims to analyze strategies for utilizing local wisdom–based technology to strengthen the sustainable blue economy in the Indonesian archipelago. This research employs a qualitative literature review method, analyzing academic articles, government reports, and international publications published between 2015 and 2025. The findings indicate that integrating digital technologies with indigenous management systems—such as sasi laut, panglima laot, and awig-awig—enhances marine resource governance efficiency while preserving ecological sustainability and social legitimacy. This study concludes that synergy between technology and local wisdom is a key foundation for inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable blue economy development in archipelagic regions.

Ghana’s maritime security is considered within a broader context of coastal livelihoods, economic vulnerabilities, and environmental factors. The article examines how socio-economic structures and local realities interact to shape both the risks and opportunities in Ghana’s maritime security landscape. Drawing on an extensive review of academic literature, policy reports, industry analyses, as well as relevant statistical data and primary field data, the article interrogates the interplay among economic activities in the various sectors of Ghana’s blue economy with a focus on the fisheries sector. It examines how factors like youth unemployment and gender inequalities influence security outcomes, particularly with challenges such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and resource-based conflicts. The study highlights how regulatory frameworks and foreign investment strategies intersect with local priorities, oftentimes generating tension over environmental sustainability and social justice. By mapping these socio-economic dynamics across local, national, and regional levels, the paper advances a nuanced and holistic understanding of Ghana’s maritime security environment, advocating for a Blue Justice approach.

Fish landing centres (FLCs) function as crucial physical and economic anchors in the aquatic food system, linking capture and culture fisheries with wholesale markets, retailers, and end consumers. They influence not only the quality and safety of landed fish but also price realization, value addition, and the stability of livelihoods along the value chain. In India’s contemporary fisheries policy discourse, particularly under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), modern and hygienic FLCs are no longer viewed as simple landing points; they are conceived as integrated rural growth nodes that can support sustainable blue economies, enhance nutritional security, and create diversified employment opportunities in backward and forward linkages.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of green technological innovation, taxes and environmental pollution on the blue economy within OECD countries. Design/methodology/approach The Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) and Bootstrap Quantile Regression methods were used to investigate the relationship between Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Natural Resources Rents, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, green taxation, green innovation and blue economy. This study uses panel data covering the period from 1990 to 2022. Findings Green taxes demonstrate a stronger positive impact on the blue economy at lower quantiles, with this effect diminishing progressively across the distribution to higher quantiles. Green innovation exhibits a consistently robust positive relationship with the blue economy throughout the distribution, remaining statistically significant across all quantiles examined. Carbon emissions display a significant negative association with the blue economy across the entire conditional distribution, with this adverse effect intensifying at higher quantiles. The findings further reveal that both GDP and natural resources rents exert positive effects on the blue economy across all quantiles, suggesting their role as consistent drivers of blue economy development regardless of the level of blue economy performance. Originality/value By combining MMQR with Bootstrap Quantile Regression, this study conducts a detailed examination of how environmental and economic determinants influence blue economy performance across varying quantiles. The findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge on sustainable ocean economies and provide practical guidance for policymakers seeking to promote economic development while safeguarding environmental integrity.

The valorization of marine by-products represents a promising approach for discovering novel bioactive compounds. This study presents a comparative phytochemical and bioactivity assessment of shrimp shell waste extracts from Parapenaeus longirostris and Aristeus antennatus species, which are prevalent on Algerian coasts. The objective of this study is to evaluate their potential as a source of biologically active compounds, with a particular focus on those compounds that possess anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. The methodology entailed the extraction of chemical compounds. The subsequent procedure involved the utilization of shrimp residues, which were then subjected to a comprehensive compositional analysis. This analysis was then followed by an evaluation of their biological activity. The results obtained demonstrated the presence of biologically effective compounds, with the extracts exhibiting notable anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activity. White shrimp (P. longirostris) was found to be particularly efficacious in both activities, showing particular promise in diabetes-related inhibition. This finding indicates the potential of valorization. It is evident that these marine by-products have the potential to serve as a promising natural resource for the development of value-added products. It is evident that these initiatives facilitate novel advancements in the domains of health and industry, thus underpinning the blue economy within the paradigm of sustainable development.

The striped venus clam Chamelea gallina is a benthic bivalve relevant for the blue economy of the Adriatic Sea and the European fishery sector. However, the limited genomic resources available for this bivalve hinder the understanding of its biology, adaptability to climate change, and responses to stress factors. Here, we report the first chromosome-level genome assembly of C. gallina. Leveraging a combination of PacBio HiFi, and Illumina sequencing, complemented by Hi-C scaffolding, we generated a 1.81 Gb genome assembly with a scaffold N50 of 100.3 Mb and BUSCO completeness of 95.6%. The final assembly comprises 19 scaffolds matching the species' karyotype, demonstrating high contiguity and structural accuracy. Genome annotation identified 58,203 protein-coding genes, and repetitive regions for 54.40% of the genome. We also assembled the complete mitochondrial genome and confirmed the species identity through phylogenetic analysis. This genomic resource sets the stage for comparative analyses within the genus, the use of molecular markers for product traceability, and for the sustainable management of C. gallina in the context of global changes.

This study explores how the integration of renewable energy, institutional empowerment, and post-harvest efficiency can enhance sustainable blue economy models. A mixed-method design combines quantitative and qualitative data from coastal fisheries to examine the relationships between energy access, institutional strength, and operational efficiency. The results show that working capital, cooperative governance, and solar-based electrification improve fisheries productivity, while greater post-harvest losses reduce both efficiency and sustainability outcomes. Communities adopting renewable energy and participatory institutions achieve higher income growth, stronger resource resilience, and broader social inclusion. The findings emphasize that technological innovation must operate alongside institutional capacity and equitable management systems. By introducing post-harvest loss as a measurable indicator of efficiency, this research expands the analytical framework of the blue economy and offers a replicable model for sustainable coastal development aligned with global sustainability goals.

Assessment of heavy metals and proximate composition of a jellyfish (Rhizostoma octopus Gmelin, 1791) from Cox's Bazar coast, Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh: Tracing contamination sources and human health risks.

The Indo-Pacific Region (IPR) has become a key focus of 21st century geopolitics. In its waters, maritime trade, power projection, and strategic rivalry come together. This article examines the geostrategic and economic significance of the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal, emphasizing how Bangladesh’s maritime position impacts its role in great-power competition. Using realist, liberal, and constructivist theories, the article analyzes power distribution, institutional resilience, and identity politics in the IPR. The study employs a qualitative research approach that combines document analysis, secondary literature review, and interpretive geopolitical mapping to trace the development of alliances, non-traditional security (NTS) issues, and blue economy opportunities. Results indicate that Bangladesh’s balanced diplomacy, maritime modernization, and multilateral engagement enhance its strategic independence within the Indo-Pacific framework. BIMRAD Journal VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1, DEC 2025; PP-1-27

The blue nexus unveiled: Interlinking marine pollution, circular economy, and the blue economy in ocean sustainability.

Conceptualizing the interplay between blue justice, blue economy, and blue governance

As economies worldwide confront the urgent need to transition toward low-carbon and socially inclusive development models, the interaction between green finance, sustainable entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems has become central to both academic debate and policy agendas. This article investigates how these dimensions jointly shape national trajectories across 30 developed and developing countries by combining key sustainability indicators, including the Green Growth Index, Global Green Finance Index, Global Innovation Index, ESG scores, and the number of unicorns. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the study identifies two main latent dimensions integrated sustainability and technological dynamism and reveals a typology of sustainability-driven, tech-driven, and lagging economies. Countries such as Switzerland and Sweden demonstrate a strong convergence between ESG performance, green growth, and innovation capacity, whereas others, including the United States, India, and Kenya, exhibit more fragmented patterns. The findings highlight the critical mediating role of institutional quality in translating green financial flows and innovative potential into sustainable entrepreneurial outcomes. For policymakers, the results offer a comparative diagnostic tool to prioritise interventions in green finance infrastructure, ESG regulation, and ecosystem support, and to design more inclusive regional cooperation frameworks. The study also points to avenues for future research, including the integration of blue economy indicators and subnational data, as well as the use of causal modelling approaches, to further inform evidence-based strategies for sustainable and resilient development. Keywords: finance; sustainable entrepreneurship; ESG; innovation; green and blue economy; Principal Component Analysis (PCA)