Blue Economy

What is it?

It is an emerging concept that aims to improve human well-being and social equity while reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. It encourages better stewardship of our ocean or “blue” resources.

According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem”.

European Commission defines it as “All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts”.

The blue economy has diverse components including traditional ocean industries such as fisheries, tourism, seaweed production, and maritime transport.

Production of Sustainable healthy diet from the Ocean

According to the UN, the ocean is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Investing in ocean-based food production can take on numerous forms, from improving fisheries and production of ocean aquaculture to more sustainable food sources.

As the world population grows, investing in wild fisheries would help provide healthy diet for people while replacing carbon intensive proteins like beef. For example salmon farming business is a very fast growing source of protein. And of the major food proteins, incidentally, it is actually the most environmentally sustainable. Salmon versus red meet in terms of the environment, salmon farming is always a winner.

The World Resources Institute believes that every $1 invested in increasing production of sustainably sourced ocean-based protein could generate $10 in benefits.

Sea cucumber fishery

They are marine animals that are fished worldwide, aside from being delicious and nutritious, sea cucumbers are also used for their medicinal properties. There are about 100 known species of sea cucumber, 33 of which are being exploited commercially.

Sea ranching

Sea ranching is essentially a ‘put and take’ activity where the cultured juveniles are released in an area of natural habitat and harvested when they reach a commercially optimal size. In this culture system, the level of care that can be offered throughout the growth process is reduced, and survival will be considerably lower.

Mud Crab farming

It can be assumed that any tropical island that has mangrove forests and a fluvial delta is likely to support a population of mud crabs. A mature female mud crab produces from 1 to 6 million egg, females retain sperm after mating so that 2 or even 3 egg masses can be produced without the further intervention of a male.

Mud crabs are delicious and famous in Mediterranean dishes, they are a great source of protein and are low in fat. They also contain high levels of Omega – 3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium.

Sea moss

Sea moss farming is very common in the Indian Ocean region of East Africa and they carry a lot of health benefits. Sea moss may be one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet and it is heavily farmed in Mafia Island. Due to its virgin aquatic nature as a result of marine conservation activities, sea moss from Mafia Island is free from any form of toxicity.