Blue Economy Research Articles

Developing a Joint Strategy for Fostering Sustainable Blue Economies in Cyprus and Croatia: The Work of the SeaTecHub project

Developing a Joint Strategy for Fostering Sustainable Blue Economies in Cyprus and Croatia: The Work of the SeaTecHub project

Tides of Change for a Sustainable Blue Economy: A Systematic Literature Review of Innovation in Maritime Activities

The Blue Economy, a dynamic field intertwining ocean sustainability, innovation, and economic progress, stands as a beacon of hope for fostering inclusive growth while advancing sustainable practices. This systematic literature review embarks on a journey to unravel the intricate relationship between innovation and sustainable practices within the Blue Economy, to uncover how innovation transforms and promotes sustainability, and to pinpoint barriers to adoption of innovative technologies and processes. By delving into the multifaceted landscape of sustainability and innovation studies within the Blue Economy, this study illuminates the potential of innovative approaches to drive sustainability in coastal and marine areas. With global attention shifting toward ocean sustainability due to survival risks and resource scarcity, this study addresses two central questions: how does innovation drive sustainable practices within the Blue Economy, and what barriers prevent the widespread adoption of these innovations? Using this interrogation as a compass to navigate the existing literature, and through a comprehensive analysis of the role of innovation in promoting sustainable practices, this review aims to provide hints for the main directions for a sustainable Blue Economy.

MARINE RESTORATION AND BLUE ECONOMY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AFTER THE APPROVAL OF THE NATURE RESTORATION REGULATION

Marine ecosystems have a unique value for the life on Earth as they provide multiple services ranging from carbon storage, oxygen generation, excess heat absorption to maintaining biodiversity and directly contributing to human wellbeing. However, these ecosystems are currently in a poor conservation condition with over one-third of mangrove ecosystems being deficient or seriously degraded, the disappearance of over half of all coastal wetlands or with the loss of 13.5% of the global hard coral in a decade. In the face of this situation, the preservation approach is no longer enough, but action is needed to recover these degraded or lost ecosystems. Until now, restoration tended to take place targeting specific interventions but without tracing connections between them. But the biodiversity crisis has evidenced the urgent need to act, and, in the last years, restoration has been integrated in the legislation, both at an international and at a European level. This resulted in the adoption of the supranational legally binding EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) last summer. Nevertheless, the implementation of the NRR depends on the establishment of synergies with other programmes to be materialised. This article argues that for marine restoration, establishing connections with Blue Economy should be mainstreamed. This will be beneficial for the advancement of marine restoration, but most importantly will ultimately be key for achieving the Blue Economy targets: increased economic growth, better livelihoods and ocean health.

PROYECTOS INNOVADORES EN EL SECTOR AZUL: IMPULSANDO LA SOSTENIBILIDAD Y EL DESARROLLO ECONÓMICO DE LOS RECURSOS MARINOS

The Spanish region and the Mediterranean basin are positioned as a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot, hosting more than half of Europe’s catalogued species. However, this biological wealth faces serious threats such as terrestrial and marine pollution, habitat destruction and overfishing. In response to this scenario, significant efforts have been undertaken to restructure economic sectors towards sustainable and environmentally friendly models, with the blue sector being particularly prominent. This sector advocates the sustainable exploitation of seas and oceans, facing challenges such as generational change. Faced with this problem, there is a need for innovative initiatives that integrate education and environmental sustainability, using methodologies that attract new generations to professions in the blue sector. In this context, the Centro de Formación Folgado has led several initiatives at European, national and local level, with the aim of addressing the lack of generational change and promoting the sustainable management of marine resources. Its European projects include Blue Careers for a Sustainable Blue Economy (BOUTCAR), an educational alliance to develop training pathways in the blue sector, and Let’s Form Marine Shelters (FOMSHE), focused on the recovery of the seahorse in the Mediterranean. At the national level, the Emprende Impact project promoted a sustainable entrepreneurship programme aimed at vocational training students. At the local level, the Green Posidonia project has worked on the creation of a pilot plant for the cultivation of Posidonia oceanica and its repopulation, together with educational workshops, while Green Urban Changemakers promoted a more sustainable urban development in the city of Valencia. In addition, the Centre collaborates in other European projects such as BlueCircle, which identifies opportunities within the blue sector, and Let’s Talk Under The Sea (TAUTS), an initiative to promote ocean culture and raise awareness of the effects of underwater noise on marine wildlife. These initiatives reflect a strong commitment to sustainability and innovative education, consolidating the Centro de Formación Folgado as a benchmark in the transformation towards a more sustainable and attractive blue sector for new generations.

Blue Economy for Small-Scale Fisheries: Challenges from A Coastal Community in the Southern Philippines

This research describes the experiences of small-scale fisheries (SSF) concerning the coastal development project in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. This initiative aims to enhance the municipality’s fisheries sector to reinvigorate fishing activities through the development of a boulevard, enhancement of existing fish landings, and development of a commercial building for the agri-aqua industry in the municipality. Despite the promising prospects of such an initiative, various literature revealed that there have been concerns regarding the sustainability of small-scale fisheries within the context of the blue economy. Utilizing a descriptive research design, this study uses surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions to analyze the SSF's awareness, perception, knowledge, and participation in the proposed coastal development. Salient findings reveal that SSF in Poblacion are predominantly middle-aged, married men, with moderate involvement and positive insights in coastal development. However, they face numerous challenges encompassing inadequate socio- economic support, shifting weather patterns, and a lack of institutional assistance being the most prominent. These challenges exacerbate the difficulties encountered by the coastal SSF community, compounded by evolving market conditions and changes in livelihoods, which further strain their resilience. These emphasize the critical need for community engagement and the establishment of sustained support and monitoring mechanisms to advocate for sustainable coastal development. Recommendations include the rigorous implementation of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns, as well as the establishment of a barangay coastal resource management plan to promote participatory planning practices. Emphasis is placed on the importance of early and frequent stakeholder interaction to comprehend various stakeholders’ perspectives.

Utilization of Green Mussel Shell Waste in Efforts to Improve the Economy of Coastal Communities in Karangantu

Utilization of green mussel shell waste (Perna viridis) is one of the potential efforts to improve the economy of coastal communities, especially in Karangantu Beach. Green mussel shells that have so far only been thrown away or used as waste can be processed into various products with added value, such as organic fertilizer, raw materials for handicrafts, and animal feed. This Community Service Program aims to process green mussel shells into flour as an addition to animal feed, financial management training for the green mussel cultivation group of the Karya Sinar Bahari cooperative, and socialization of clean and healthy living behavior, as well as socialization of the blue economy concept and the potential of Tanggul Jaya Village as a blue economy driver. The methods used are institutional approaches, participatory approaches, discussion and training methods, data obtained from surveys and interviews with local fishermen and craftsmen. The results show that this waste processing not only reduces environmental pollution, but also creates new jobs and improves community welfare. The existence of financial management training for mussel cultivation groups can manage resources well, and financial planning and cost control are more measurable. With effective socialization of PHBS and blue economy, these two concepts can support each other to create a healthier and more sustainable society. It is hoped that the use of green mussel shells can be a sustainable solution for the coastal communities of Karangantu Beach in facing economic challenges.

REMEDIAL SOLUTIONS AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE ENVIRONMENTS: A REVIEW

In the context of the blue economy and sustainable development of the marine environment, there is currently a continuous concern about identifying the most efficient practices and methods to mitigate pollution. Therefore, the current research in this field focuses on identifying remedial methods that can restore polluted environments and preserve those that haven’t been affected significantly by the actions of humans. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of regional marine environmental pollution, including armed conflict-related contamination, and thoroughly assesses up-to-date principles and technologies regarding remedial solutions for marine pollution. Also, the best practices for remedial solutions have been identified and included in the available methodologies. Accordingly, it has been concluded that marine pollution is complex and suggests that combined methods should be used to address the multiple types of contaminants that reach marine environments.

PAKANI: SUSTAINABLE OF BLUE ECONOMY MELALUI ISLAMIC DIGITAL PLATFORM DALAM UPAYA MEMBERDAYAKAN PETANI IKAN DI JAWA TIMUR

This study examines digital innovation through the PAKANI platform as a solution to support the implementation of a sustainable blue economy concept and empower fish farmers in East Java. PAKANI is designed as a technology-based application that provides comprehensive access to sharia financing, affordable and quality fish feed distribution, and broader marketing access for small-scale fish farmers. Challenges faced by fish farmers in East Java include limited resource access, high production costs, and inefficient distribution. This study employs a qualitative approach with descriptive analysis based on literature from journals, books, scientific reports, and articles to analyze East Java’s geographical potential for inland aquaculture in underutilized lands. The findings show that PAKANI can act as a catalyst in enhancing productivity and sustainability in small-scale aquaculture, particularly through integrating digital technology and sharia-compliant financing that is accessible for fish farmers. The blue economy concept applied in this platform leverages technology to reduce resource waste and support sustainable aquaculture practices aligned with circular economy principles. These findings are expected to make a significant contribution to the academic literature on digitalization in the aquaculture sector and the inclusive development of sharia-based economies, particularly in Indonesia. This platform is anticipated to improve fish farmers’ welfare and increase the fisheries sector’s contribution to sustainable economic growth in Indonesia.

A governability lesson for the Blue Economy: the collapse of mobile salmon aquaculture in the Norwegian coastal zone

Inspired by governability and evolutionary governance theory, this paper studies innovative aquaculture technologies that aim to contribute to the transition toward a sustainable blue economy. By tracing path, inter-, and goal dependencies, we explore a case related to developing new production systems in the Norwegian salmon aquaculture industry. As further development using conventional production systems is deemed unsustainable, the government has incentivised technological innovation to alleviate environmental and spatial pressures limiting industry expansion. We describe the work behind enrolling one innovative technology into the coastal governance system. As we find, there are conflicts between the conditions in governance that technological innovations depend on for realisation versus the conditions the governance system depends on for governability. Through our relational approach, we display how innovation challenges governability and that achieving Blue Economy objectives may require considerable political and administrative reorganisation of the existing governance setup.

Prospects for Cooperation International in Promoting Sustainable Blue Economy in the Euro-Mediterranean Region

In order to activate the principle of international cooperation, which is one of the most important purposes of the United Nations, which was explicitly referred to in its founding charter in the text of Article 1, 3, as well as Article 52 of Chapter 8, regional organizations sought to support opportunities to move towards the blue economy, as efforts resulted in the emergence of many regional initiatives in The Euro-Mediterranean region has been formulated in the form of forward-looking and directive plans. Accordingly, this study aims to identify the various challenges facing this young economy, and to evaluate current regional efforts while anticipating the future of this sector to reach the conclusion that the reality of this cooperation remains very modest, in light of the lack of political will. Scientific and technological disparity between Mediterranean countries.

Examining the major barriers to women’s participation and employment in coastal activities of India’s blue economy: a systematic literature review

Examining the major barriers to women’s participation and employment in coastal activities of India’s blue economy: a systematic literature review

Flotation Devices Re-stor(y)ing Haunted South African Ocean Herstories through Mending as a Decolonial Love Language

ABSTRACT This paper engages in a dialogical meaning ∞ making between South African Story-tailor Cleo Droomer and sociologist/artist Dylan McGarry, exploring Droomer's creation of “floatation devices” or “Life(Jackets).” Using a “pedagogy of echolocation” that surfaces the living archival memory of Droomer's artworks, the authors navigate the haunted entanglements implicit with our relationships with the ocean. Their tactile research, rooted in personal and intergenerational trauma, utilizes heirloom fabrics to craft social wearable sculptures. These pieces facilitate a dialogue with his ancestors, from the apartheid-induced removal of his grandparents from the ocean to his enslaved forebears. Droomer's work highlights the ocean's role in the transatlantic and Indian Ocean slave trades, underscoring the need for recognizing it as a site of remembrance and intangible heritage. This contrasts with the acknowledgment of other sites of human suffering, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the ocean's historical significance. KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTS Our oceans are haunted in South Africa by complex exclusions, violence’s and sunken histories, and require re-configured “flotation devices” to surface them. The rush for Oil and Gas and other extractive rapid Blue Economy activities are not just violently excluding marginalized communities, they erase the necropolitics of our ocean. Art-making as a form of thinking, theorizing and re-membering/re-configuring our histories can offer ways to surface and work with our ocean heritage with the context of Blue Economy expansion. Global Bodies like the International Sea-bed Authority (ISA) and UNESCO overlook the seabed and ocean as sites of human suffering and cultural history, and should consider Droomer’s sculptural policy briefs, i.e. (Life)Jackets. Social Sculpture and “story-tailoring” offers ongoing living archives or “an-archives” to support meaningful approaches to practicing Ubuntu and re-figuring our relational ontologies with the ocean. Mending both as a practice, and as a figurative theory is an embodied phronesis for decolonial justice, or “love-language.”

Innovation and Quality of Business Scale Based on Blue Economy in the Coastal Area of Bilato, Indonesia

Abstract This study thoroughly examines and analyzes the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in Nike fish (Ikan Nike) in the Bilato coastal area of Indonesia. Several aspects are used as indicators to assess the extent of this potential, including innovation, scale quality, and the application of the blue economy concept. The methodology employed is qualitative, also known as interpretative research, naturalistic research, or phenomenological research. The results of this study indicate a significant and positive improvement among the SMEs involved in Nike fish, particularly in terms of innovation, which encompasses product innovation, sales media innovation, and environmental innovation. Additionally, there has been notable development in scale quality, as evidenced by increases in income, sales, and business profits. Furthermore, the SMEs participating in the Nike fish group consistently implement the blue economy concept as a means of ensuring sustainability and balance in preserving the environment in the Bilato coastal area. This approach not only enhances economic value but also contributes to social and ecological benefits.

Implementation of Blue Economy to Increase Lobster Production through Natural Feeding Efficiency

Community Service Activities entitled Freshwater Lobster and Silkworm Cultivation, were carried out from September to November 2024. The need for freshwater lobster feed that is difficult to obtain makes natural feed such as silkworm cultivation, an alternative to be used as feed for freshwater lobster cultivation. In addition, Freshwater Lobster cultivation is still very rarely carried out in the Gorontalo area, thus providing opportunities and benefits for inmates to be able to become independent after leaving prison. The need for freshwater lobster feed that is difficult to obtain makes natural feed for larvae/fry such as silkworms, an alternative to be used as feed for freshwater lobster cultivation. This PKM activity is a new hope for inmates to get a sustainable livelihood and income.

Assessing the Impact of Somalia's Maritime Policy on Blue Economy Development

Assessing the Impact of Somalia's Maritime Policy on Blue Economy Development

Defossilising Caribbean's energy system: Highlighting on e‐fuel imports, grid integration, and accelerated transition

AbstractTransitioning to renewables is critical to address the Caribbean's vulnerability to imported fossil fuel price volatility and concerns about climate change. This study presents a first‐of‐its‐kind comprehensive analysis of 17 illustrative pathways varying the impact of e‐fuel imports, grid interconnections and an accelerated energy transition towards the Caribbean's carbon neutrality by 2050. The research method is based on techno‐economic principles for designing a cost‐optimal energy system. An optimisation tool is used, the LUT Energy System Transition Model, to analyse the various pathways. The study finds that high uptake of renewables in Caribbean energy systems significantly lowers costs and enhances reliability, crucial for building competitive and resilient economies. Renewable energy dominated pathways show 7–24% lower cumulative costs compared to alternatives, with grid integration reducing costs by 1–10%. Accelerated transition pathways incur 3–12% higher costs than complete defossilisation by 2050. Solar photovoltaics, wind power, batteries, and electrolysers are pivotal for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Importing e‐fuels reduces system costs by 7–16% and supports local resource use. Offshore renewable energy overcome land limitations, driving sustainable development and a vibrant blue economy. High electrification levels with renewable energy, sector coupling, and Power‐to‐X solutions enhance system efficiency and flexibility. Given the dominance of solar photovoltaics, the Caribbean's energy transition could be more appropriately called a ‘Solar‐to‐X Economy’. This research contributes to the international perspective on sustainable energy transition for islands.

Albania, Potential for the Development of the Blue Economy

The purpose of this study is to help advance the vision of Albania in the Blue Economy, in the framework of the country's aim to join the EU. I will highlight the gaps in knowledge, the risks and deficiencies that our country has in the development of the economy in this field and the measures that the government should take to solve these problems. The most important sectors in the Blue Economy are: fishing, tourism, maritime transport and plastic pollution. The fishing, tourism and transport industries are the three most powerful industries that provide the highest return on investment, as part of the blue economy. These sectors have an important socio-economic and cultural role for coastal communities. A worrying issue facing these coastal areas is the challenges of marine plastic pollution, which require immediate solutions. I will reflect the specific circumstances of Albania and the opportunities arising from the integrated economic development of the maritime sectors. The main objective is to develop a future for "Blue Albania" and build a long-term innovative plan in these sectors. At the end of the study, I will draw up a clear picture of the economic activities that need to be undertaken to accelerate the development of the blue economy in our country Received: 25 September 2024 / Accepted: 24 November 2024 / Published: 3 December 2024

Harnessing the Blue Economy: India's Path to Sustainable Marine Resource Utilization and Economic Growth

Blue Economy has introduced a completely new array of opportunities for India to expand upon its economy while having keeping an eye on the sustainability of its marine resources. It also helps that this idea implements perfectly with the strategic positioning of the coastline. India’s potential to increase its economic growth with the help of Blue Economy through various policies which could be implemented into its economic framework. India has even taken steps to promote this with various projects like the Sagar Mala Project or the Deep Ocean mission. The main focus right now should be based on the process of upgrading the infrastructure related to port, upgrading marine technology while also focusing and promoting sustainable aquafarming and preservation of marine resources. In simple words it strives to create of balance of both the economic growth as well the conservation of the aquatic resources and marine life. Marine sectors require investments but in return it will certainly lead to the boost in India’s GDP as it will lead to the many benefits like creating major job benefits, and it will improve the lifestyle of coastal communities. However, with such ambition the implementation of these policies remains a huge challenge, it requires more than just discussing policies it requires complete involvement from both the Government and the community. Overall, if India uses its tactically perfect positioning in terms of blue economy it could become of the biggest blue economic models in the world. India’s blue economy could contribute hugely to both the Nation and global efforts to spread the message of economic growth along with the preservation of the ocean life.

Analisis Isu Strategis Rancangan Teknokratik RPJMD Kabupaten Badung Tahun 2025-2029

The writing of this policy paper is to describe the formulation of strategic issues for medium-term development planning in Badung Regency in 2025-2029. This study uses a qualitative method, namely an in-depth data processing method with data from observations, and literature. There are ten strategic issues of the 2025-2029 Badung Regency RPJMD technocratic design which are produced through weighting based on their linkage with global, national and Bali Province strategic issues, namely: geopolitics and geoeconomics; conversion of agricultural land; blue economy; Environment; technological developments; population explosion; climate change and disasters; public service infrastructure; green workforce; and talent management. The suggestion that can be implemented is that the Badung Regency Government needs to carry out a more in-depth discussion on the strategic issue of the 2025-2029 Badung Regency RPJMD technocratic design together with all regional apparatus and related stakeholders so that the development of Badung Regency has the right goals and objectives and can answer development problems in the next five years.

Enabling Sustainable blue Economy in Egypt: Towards Addressing Sustainable Fisheries and Supporting Food Security (Deductive approach using Econometric and Comparative Analysis)

Enabling Sustainable blue Economy in Egypt: Towards Addressing Sustainable Fisheries and Supporting Food Security (Deductive approach using Econometric and Comparative Analysis)