Into The Blue: The Ocean We Want

The Blue Economy defines the values and benefits to be derived sustainably from the ocean. In this introduction, Dr Anjani Ganase presents the outline for countries’ relationship with the ocean. In future features, she will expand what the blue economy should mean for Tobago and Trinidad.

Humans have utilised aquatic and marine resources over centuries for food, water supply, extraction of materials and avenues of transport for trade and exploration. We have benefitted from the ocean as it moderates temperature and atmosphere and climate – it stores 90 % of our heat and 30 % of our carbon emissions. If we were to quantify the assets that we receive from the ocean (fisheries, coastal protection, tourism, carbon sequestration, transport etc.), the ocean would have Gross Marine Product (GMP) that would equate to some ~ 24 trillion USD (equivalent to the 7th highest economy in the world). Note that this value does not include the value of offshore oil and gas, nor does it include a value for climate regulation (Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2015). Unfortunately, the value of ocean assets is rapidly being depleted as we continue to over extract marine reserves, pollute and remove important ecosystems. As we begin to feel the impacts of climate change – rising sea-levels, more severe hurricanes, warming water - countries are beginning to understand the importance of protecting the marine and coastal environments for their livelihood and future. So how can we both protect our oceans and maintain a growing economy?

The Blue Economy draws from the sustainable use of marine resources in a wide range of economic sectors, without the degradation of the marine environment. Being blue means that as we actively tap into marine resources, the untapped – potential use, biodiversity and climate regulatory – aspects of the ocean are not compromised, so that it remains ecologically and economically valuable for the future.

The Blue Economy at a glance. Infographic from the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Kenya 2018.

Our future, as described by the IPCC Assessment and the Fourth Climate Assessment Reports, under climate change is fraught with negative impacts on our agricultural, fisheries and health sectors, as well as increased possibilities of natural disasters. The prospect of Business As Usual spells disaster for the 600 – 800 million people that reside near or are dependent on the oceans for their livelihoods. Now more than ever we need to work with nature – our oceans - to build resilience in our economies and communities against climate change.  Aligning with the Blue Economy provides the vision to do just that. 

Naturally, there are inherent challenges to dealing with the ocean economy outside the economic exclusion zone. How do we manage ocean assets where the biggest oceans are international waters? How do we manage the ocean and the many ecosystems that do not subscribe to country boundaries?

Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Nairobi 2018

In November 2018, the inaugural Sustainable Blue Economy Conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya. It was a gathering of over 16,000 participants from 184 countries, including Trinidad and Tobago. Government leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs and public and private entities shared ideas in the challenge to transition to a sustainable economy that considers ocean resources. 

Participants hoped for many answers

How can countries and stakeholders transition to a blue economy and maintain sustainable growth? What are the best practices for enhancing the blue economy? How can we incentivise private sector interest in the blue economy? What are the steps for international collaboration?

The development plan for the Blue Economy aligns itself with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14 – “To conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” (Please see box for the specific goals).

Connected issues of global transport, poverty eradication, city and coastal development, maritime security, climate change, waste management and health were considered under the umbrella of  the Blue Economy. Committees discussed the benefits of social inclusion and empowerment of disenfranchised groups (poor communities, women and youth) as a crucial part of this solution for sustainable development. Intertwined throughout is the challenge of climate change and the importance of not just protecting marine areas and conserving biodiversity, but investing technology and techniques to build resilience of ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. 

The outcomes

So how can we continue to grow economically without adding to the problems of marine pollution, illegal fishing, habitat destruction, sea-level rise? How can we manage and protect coastal and marine environments while reducing poverty and empowering women and youth? How can a sustainable Blue Economy be competitive with traditional modes of business, and generate sustainable income and employment? Many solutions emerged in the collaborations built at this conference; the continuing exchange of ideas will improve technology, invest in research, diversify innovation, build resilience against climate change and manage disasters. 

Examples of Blue Economy Initiatives

Investments in the Blue Economy include investment in innovative projects, such as renewable energy (wind, solar and waves), and eco-friendly aquaculture farms that subsidize demand for seafood. Under the rubric of being blue are investments in technology that can improve manufacturing efficiencies – battery development, waste repurposing, bio fuels and biotechnology (algae fuel and fibres), urban agriculture (permaculture and hydroponics) and the recycling of waste; all of which speak to circular economics and reducing natural ocean and land use and extraction.

The Blue Economy needs endorsement by governments, and their action to implement policy for  marine protection and to enforce laws; while promoting research and development in new blue sectors. For example, the government of Seychelles has instituted a Department of Blue Economy with a roadmap for implementation of blue economics. The department’s role is to ensure that government policies include marine resource management and development of a framework for a  sustainable ocean-based economy (thecommonwealth.org). This covers fisheries and tourism industries and their diversification;  the protection and management of vulnerable ecosystems in other sectors; as well as investment in research, innovation and ocean technology.

Trinidad and Tobago

The unique position of Trinidad and Tobago, unlike other small island states, is that we are fortunate to have a diversifiable economy - including agriculture and tourism – and major ocean assets at our doorsteps.  While we already depend on our offshore territory for oil and gas exploits, we also need to adapt and  build our blue and green economies. Even as an oil and gas nation, there is urgency to adapt to renewables to curb carbon emissions; to limit the degradation of ocean assets; and to act  strategically to remain competitive. How can Trinidad and Tobago shift to renewables and transition our sources of GDP to equate to the income from oil and gas? It would not be easy, but with bipartisan investment in the long-term planning, research and development and a true understanding of our ocean assets, Trinidad and Tobago can have a thriving blue economy. 

References:

http://thecommonwealth.org/project/seychelles-blue-economy-strategic-roadmap-and-implementation

http://www.blueeconomyconference.go.ke

Hoegh-Guldberg, O. et al. 2015. Reviving the Ocean Economy: the case for action - 2015. WWF International, Gland, Switzerland., Geneva, 60 pp.

SIDEBAR/ BOX

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution 

14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans 

14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels 

14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics 

14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with 

national and international law and based on the best available scientific information 

14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation2 

14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small-island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism 

14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries 

14.b Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets 

14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by 

implementing international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want”