ABSTRACT The global ocean plays a vital role in supplying seafood and employment, driving worldwide GDP growth. South Africa recognises the ocean economy's potential and invests in it to boost productivity, reduce unemployment, and spur economic expansion. However, challenges like outdated infrastructure, weak governance, and technological gaps hinder progress. Amidst rising demand for seafood, unregulated competition prevails. The study employed ARDL to test the long – and short-run relationships between ocean economy financing, economic growth, and unemployment from 1994 to 2019. The results show that there is a positive and statistically insignificant relationship between ocean economy financing economic growth, and unemployment. This study recommends that the government continue to increase a sustained investment in ocean economy infrastructure, addressing growth constraints, and adopting a comprehensive strategy for realising economic growth and job creating.