Developing the Blue Economy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Robert C. Brears

   Pages 1-5

3. Challenges to the Traditional Ocean Economy

   • Robert C. Brears

   Pages 7-32

4. The Blue Economy

   • Robert C. Brears

   Pages 33-51

5. Sustainable Fisheries

   • Robert C. Brears

   Pages 53-93

6. Sustainable Aquaculture

   • Robert C. Brears

   Pages 95-133

7. Marine Biotechnology

   • Robert C. Brears

   Pages 135-165

8. Marine Renewable Energy

   • Robert C. Brears

   Pages 167-202

9. Coastal Water Resources Management

   • Robert C. Brears

   Pages 203-246

10. Blue Carbon Ecosystems and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation

    • Robert C. Brears

    Pages 247-285

11. Blue Financing

    • Robert C. Brears

    Pages 287-321

12. Conclusions

    • Robert C. Brears

    Pages 323-329

13. Back Matter

    Pages 331-337

    PDF

Traditionally, the ocean economy is viewed solely as a mechanism for economic growth. In this business-as-usual approach, large-scale industrial economies have developed the ocean economy through the exploitation of maritime and marine resources, often without consideration of how those activities impact the future health or productivity of those same resources. This has led to aquatic ecosystems being viewed and treated as limitless resources; the marine environment becoming a dumping ground for waste; overfishing diminishing fishing stocks; ocean habitats being degraded from coastal developments; sea-level rise impacting coastal communities and infrastructure; increasing ocean acidification; and the marginalisation of poor coastal communities.

Recognising the failings of the traditional ocean economy, there is a transition underway around the world towards the Blue Economy. This concept moves beyond the business-as-usual approach with economic development and ocean health complementary to one another. In the Blue Economy, the environmental risks of and ecological degradation from economic activity are mitigated or significantly reduced. Therefore, economic activity is in balance with the long-term capacity of the ocean ecosystems to support this activity and remain healthy and resilient. 


This book will provide an overview of the various technologies used to promote cross-sectoral and multi-scalar collaboration, facilitate the integrated management of sectors and resources, foster partnerships between governments and industry, encourage R&D in new technologies in resource use and management, and scale-up innovative financing mechanisms in the development of a Blue Economy. Also, the book will contain in-depth case studies that illustrate how locations, of differing climates, lifestyles and income levels, have implemented technologies to facilitate the development of the Blue Economy.


Developing the Blue Economy will provide an accessible resource for practitioners and researchers working in the field on the various innovative technologies being implemented around the world to create a Blue Economy.

• blue economy
• blue growth
• ocean economy
• sustainable development
• sustainability
• blue governance
• sustainable fisheries
• sustainable aquaculture
• marine biotechnology
• Marine Renewable Energy
• Coastal Water Resources Management
• Blue Carbon Ecosystems
• Blue Financing

• Our Future Water, Christchurch, New Zealand

  Robert C. Brears

Robert Brears is the author of several books focused on water security and the green economy. He is a Director on the International Board of the Indo Global Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, and founder of Mitidaption & Mark and Focus. Previously he was a Visiting Scholar (non-resident) at the Center for Conflict Studies at MIIS, Monterey, United States. He is a contributing author for the World Bank's Water Blog, United Nations Industrial Development Organization's Making It Magazine, Green Growth Knowledge Platform’s Insight Blog, Johns Hopkins University’s Water Magazine, China Water Risk, Water Online and RepRisk. Robert has published widely on water security, water resources management, and related issues, and has conducted field research around the world, including Antarctica.

Policies and ethics