The Commonwealth Secretariat (2016)

Since 2012, many small island developing states have embraced the emerging concept of the ‘blue economy’ as a mechanism for realising sustainable growth centred on an ocean-based economy. In that time, the blue economy has emerged as a key component of a new global dialogue about the role of coastal and ocean waters in sustainable development. For small states, in particular, the concept of the blue economy presents itself as a promising avenue for economic diversification and growth embedded in fundamental principles of environmental sustainability.

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OECS - Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

The document talks about some characteristics of the Caribbean ocean economy, projects for the area and exposes the benefits, pressures and opportunities of the blue economy.

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Caribbean Development Bank (2019)

The Blue Economy – the sustainable use of oceans for economic growth – is finding its feet in the Caribbean. The region is taking steps towards a robust regional Blue Economy, with incremental policy change in several countries and locally developed technologies that are setting the stage for future growth. 

The change is slow but steady. New finance tools such as blue bonds – along with a growing pool of international environment funds – can bring much-needed capital and widen the pipeline for projects. But, hurdles remain. Ultimately, the success of the Blue Economy lies in the hands of regional policymakers and the public sector.

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Centre for Environment Fisheries & Aquaculture Science

The Sustainable Blue Economy presents opportunities to help develop the full potential of aquatic resources in the Caribbean through building safe and resilient coastal communities, ensuring healthy and productive oceans, and creating sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

This document presents a case study on how the use of new data can support economic growth, and increasing climate resilience within the Caribbean.

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World Bank Group (2016)

This report will serve as a guide to help Caribbean policymakers plan a successful transition to a blue economy and to socially equitable ‘blue growth.’ It attempts to quantify the current value of the ocean economy in the region and to summarize projections about where we may find new pockets of sustainable growth. It defines the blue economy concepts and possible policy responses that might better align economic growth and environmental health in the Caribbean. At a global level, the transition to a blue economy will significantly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 for the ocean and to realizing goals such as poverty reduction, food security, energy security, and climate change mitigation, among others.

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Caribbean Development Bank

This Training Manual is intended to support national-level processes in the Caribbean for the integration of climate resilience in the water supply services sector. A generic approach is presented that can be modified and adapted to meet individual country contexts and needs. To support this approach, the Training Manual includes Guidance Materials on good practice methodologies, tools and approaches that are widely applicable in the Caribbean context. Its use aims to internalise and institutionalise good practice.

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Caribbean Development Bank (2019)

The objective of this study is to investigate the use of national accounts data in measuring the impact of increased investments in the Blue Economy, which is all economic activities originating from the ocean and its natural resources. The outputs from these activities may be demanded for final consumption, or as inputs into other productive processes (Caribbean Development Bank, United Nations Development Fund, 2018). The measurement of a country’s national output is tied to its national accounting framework, which measures the contribution of individual industries to domestic economic activity. The researchers, therefore, propose to test the adaptability of the current national accounting systems to respond to changes in the outputs of Blue Economy industries.

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World Bank Group (2019)

This report provides an assessment of the status and impacts of marine pollution in the Caribbean and provides recommendations to enhance the region’s resilience as it steers toward the Blue Economy.

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Government of Grenada (2016)

This report presents blue growth vision and coastal master plan for the islands of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. The blue growth vision and master plan is an integrated spatial plan which outlines an approach for development that will improve sustainable productivity at land and at sea so as to benefit all economic sectors. Blue economic development must also be sustainable and respect the marine environment. The blue growth work is based on maritime clusters of industries, suppliers, and educational and research institutions that reinforce each other through their close proximity. Based on this plan, the Government of Grenada encourages investment into strategic projects via public-private partnerships, and or private development. These have the potential to build new environmental and economic resilience while delivering social impact, satisfying job, and enviable livelihoods. 

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Caribbean Developement Bank (2018)

Within the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and CDB's Strategic Plan, this report examines the potential of the blue economy to drive sustained and inclusive economic growth. The Paper, a joint initiative between CDB and the United Nations Development Programme, also explores factors that can constrain our Region's ability to take full advantage of the ocean's potential. New and high-value blue economy growth industries such as aquaculture, marine biotechnology, deep seabed mining, and ocean renewable energy remain under-developed in our Region.

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OECS - Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (2018)

The OECS with the World Bank have prepared the Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP) that responds to such demand for spatial planning initiatives, through the adoption of coastal and marine spatial plans to coordinate management across sectors and resources and integrate environmental management directly with economic development. These plans will build upon early national marine planning efforts1 and will help Eastern Caribbean countries better understand and then reform governance of the diversity of ocean uses and economic activities, resulting in a more secure framework for sustained investment in the blue economy.

CROP is being implemented in five participating OECS Member States (MS): Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines. As a precursor to the development of Marine and Coastal Spatial Plans to improve ocean governance, a Regional Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) is required. Each CROP country, except for Grenada, has yet to clearly articulate their own vision and national policy direction for coastal and marine spatial plans for their country, which will align with the regional project vision.

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Caribbean Development Bank (2020)

Infographic hightlighting key statistics reviewing the performance of the Caribbean economy in 2019 and the predictions for 2020

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Caribbean Development Bank (2020)

The economic slowdown mirrored the relatively sluggish global economy, reflecting USA-China trade relations, geopolitical concerns in the Middle East, and mounting social and environmental protest.
The regional slowdown was partly due to drought in Belize, Haiti, and Jamaica, as well as social unrest in Haiti.

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Caribbean Development Bank (2018)

Infographic showing the strength of a blue economy strategy, as well as opportunities, challenges and suggestions to move foward.

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