European Comission (2021)

The European Commission has published the fourth edition of “The EU Blue Economy Report”, providing an overview of the performance of the EU-27 economic sectors related to oceans and the coastal environment.

The sector directly employed close to 4.5 million people in 2018 and generated around €650 billion in turnover and €176 billion in gross value added.

Emerging activities such as ocean energy, marine biotechnology and robotics are developing quickly and will play an important role in the EU’s transition towards a carbon-neutral, circular and biodiverse economy.

Contrary to the rest of the sector, those emerging activities also suffered less from the COVID-19 crisis, and are expected to recover quickly.

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European Comission (2020)

In its third edition, the EU Blue Economy Report continues to analyse the scope and size of the Blue Economy in the European Union. It aims at providing support to policymakers and stakeholders in the quest for a sustainable development of oceans, coastal resources and, most notably, to the development and implementation of polices and initiatives under the European Green Deal in line with the new approach for a sustainable Blue Economy.

For the purposes of the Report, the Blue Economy includes all those activities that are marine-based or marine-related. Therefore, the Report examines not only established sectors (i.e. those that traditionally contribute to the Blue Economy) but also emerging (those for which reliable data are still developing) and innovative sectors, which bring new opportunities for investment and hold huge potential for the future development of coastal communities. Analyses are provided for the EU as a whole and by sector and industry for each Member State.

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World Bank (2017)

This report was drafted by a working group of United Nations entities, the World Bank, and other stakeholders to suggest a common understanding of the blue economy; to highlight the importance of such an approach, particularly for small island developing states and coastal least developed countries; to identify some of the key challenges its adoption poses; and to suggest some broad next steps that are called for in order to ensure its implementation.

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River Publishers Series in Renewable Energy (2018)

River Publishers has released Building Industries at Sea: ‘Blue Growth’ and the New Maritime Economy.   The book highlights four promising areas of activity identified by the European Union for their ‘Blue Growth’ potentials. The chosen sectors are Aquaculture; Renewable Energy (offshore wind, wave and tide); Seabed Mining; and Biotechnology.  Each area has experienced a rise in technological and investment readiness.  The book goes on to describe progress made within regulatory and planning regimes that should facilitate Blue Growth expansion.

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The Nature Conservancy (2016)

The Atlas of Ocean Wealth is the largest collection to date of information about the economic, social and cultural values of coastal and marine habitats from all over the world. The work includes more than 35 novel and critically important maps that show how nature’s value to people varies widely from place to place. They also illustrate nature’s potential. These maps show that it can be accurately quantified the value of marine resources. Further, by enumerating such values, their protection or enhancement for the benefit of people all around the world can be encouraged. 

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European Comission (2017)

Maritime-based economic activities contribute significantly to the overall economy of Caribbean countries. Of these coastal tourism, cruise tourism, shipping (maritime transport and ports) and fishing and aquaculture play a major role in the overall Caribbean economy, given that all these activities have been identified in all countries and ORs and they present the highest level of development in almost all territories. Two activities currently at a pre-development stage present considerable growth potential for the near future, and could create important job opportunities and value added for the sea basin economy: renewable energy and blue biotechnology.

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OECD - Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2016)

This report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment creation and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges. Special attention is devoted to the emerging ocean-based industries in light of their high growth and innovation potential, and contribution to addressing challenges such as energy security, environment, climate change and food security. The report examines the risks and uncertainties surrounding the future development of ocean industries, the innovations required in science and technology to support their progress, their potential contribution to green growth and some of the implications for ocean management.  Finally, and looking across the future ocean economy as a whole, it explores possible avenues for action that could boost its long-term development prospects while managing the use of the ocean itself in responsible, sustainable ways.  

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Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2019)

This report emphasises the growing importance of science and technology in managing the economic development of our seas and ocean responsibly. Marine ecosystems sit at the heart of many of the world’s global challenges: food, medicines, new sources of clean energy, climate regulation, job creation and inclusive growth. But we need to safeguard and improve the health of these ecosystems to support our ever-growing use of marine resources. Innovation in science and technology will play a key role in reconciling these two objectives.

In this context, new thinking and fresh approaches are required in many areas, placing innovation at the heart of society’s response to the challenges facing the development of a truly sustainable ocean economy.

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World Wildlife Fund (2018)

To fill the gap in shared understanding about what characterizes a sustainable Blue Economy, and to help ensure that the economic development of the ocean contributes to true prosperity, today and long into the future, WWF has developed a set of “Principles for a Sustainable Blue Economy.” The Principles offer: a clear definition of sustainable blue economy, guidance on governance and a set of necessary actions. All Blue Economy actors should use  these Principles to communicate, guide decision-making, inform assessment processes, support stakeholders dialogues and mobilize commitment by government and all relevant stakeholders.

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FAO - Food  and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2014)

Three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans and seas which are an engine for global economic growth and a key source of food security. The global ocean economic activity is estimated to be USD 3–5 trillion. Ninety percent of global trade moves by marine transport. Over 30 percent of global oil and gas produced is extracted offshore. Expanding knowledge of marine biodiversity has provided breakthroughs in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food production and aquaculture. Over 3.1 billion of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of the ocean or sea in about 150 coastal and island nations.

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FAO -  Food  and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2017)

The Blue Growth Initiative (BGI) is FAO’s model for sustainably developing fisheries and aquaculture. The BGI differs from business as usual fisheries and aquaculture development, which historically focused on single interests, such as producing more fish for consumption or generating more income for livelihoods. FAO uses the term Blue Growth to emphasize the need for growth in many Member States particularly in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The goals of the BGI are to maximize economic and social benefits while minimizing environmental degradation from these sectors. These goals are closely aligned with the 2030 agenda Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs).

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The Economist Intelligence Unit (2015)

Our economic relationship with the ocean is once again evolving in important ways. As asetting for global trade and commerce, andas a significant source of food and energy, theocean’s contribution is already important. Thiscentury, it is likely to become an economic force.The drivers are many and varied, but have theirorigins in our growing familiarity with the oceanenvironment; new technologies that make itfeasible and economically viable to tap oceanresources; longer-term growth and demographictrends fuelling; the search for food security andfor alternative sources of minerals and energy; seaborne trade and rapid coastal urbanisation,among others.

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Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (2015)

This report centers on one sector that plays a fundamental role in the economy, but which has received lesser attention thus far in the blue economy discussion: business. The focus is on businesses operating in coastal and marine areas in East Asia, a region where the seas are essential to the lives and economies of its people. From the perspective of industry, the report aims to define and establish an understanding of the importance of blue economy and how it might impact various industries and, ultimately, provide a roadmap to help companies make better decisions to position themselves competitively in the growing blue economy.

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United Nations (2016)

Africa’s “Blue world” is made of vast lakes and rivers and an extensive ocean resource base. The Blue Economy can play a major role in Africa’s structural transformation, sustainable economic progress, and social development. The largest sectors of the current African aquatic and ocean based economy are fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, ports, coastal mining, and energy.

This Policy Handbook, offers a step by step guide to help African member States to better mainstream the Blue Economy into their national development plans, strategies, policies and laws. The Blue Economy approach is premised in the sustainable use, management and conservation of aquatic and marine ecosystems and associated resources.

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U.S. Department of Energy (2019)

The blue economy is an emerging sector that will require energy to allow many scientific and commercial endeavors to reach their potential. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office seeks to understand marine and coastal opportunities for which marine energy could fulfill those energy needs. This report documents the material gathered during a year-long fact-finding effort engaging users and developers, through literature review, workshops, interviews, and national lab analyses, as well as a Request for Information process. Each market was assessed by a set of common analyses: opportunity summary; application description and power requirements; market description, power options, and geographic relevance; marine energy potential value proposition; and path forward including research and development needs and potential partners.

The major finding is that there are more markets with potential than anticipated, both for Power at Sea (including ocean observation and navigation, underwater vehicle charging, marine aquaculture, marine algae, and seawater mining), and Resilient Coastal Communities (including desalination, coastal resiliency and disaster recovery, and community-scale isolated power systems). The enabling attributes of marine energy resources include that they are abundant, geographically diverse, energy dense, predictable, and complementary to other energy sources. This report can help direct analysis and research and development efforts by government, scientists, developers, and other stakeholders to more deeply understand and meet specific technical and economic requirements to power emerging opportunities in the blue economy.

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European Commission (2017)

In 2012, the European Commission formulated its Blue Growth strategy to harness the potential of Europe's oceans, seas and coasts for growth and jobs1. At that time, the EU was still dealing with a difficult post-financial crisis situation. Yet Europe's seas, coasts and maritime sectors and regions were considered to be drivers for the European economy, with a potential of 5.4 million jobs and a gross added value of just under EUR 500 billion per year.

The objective of the Blue Growth Strategy was to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and employment opportunities in Europe's maritime economy. The blue economy can be a driver for Europe's welfare and prosperity and that was the message of the Blue Growth Strategy adopted by the Commission in 2012. Since then, the Commission has undertaken a series of steps to translate it into actions. It has launched initiatives in many policy areas related to Europe's oceans, seas and coasts, facilitating the cooperation between maritime business and public authorities across borders and sectors, and stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the marine environment.

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European Comission (2019)

This report analyses the scope and size of the Blue Economy in the European Union, solidifying a baseline to support policymakers and stakeholders in the quest for a sustainable development of oceans, sea and coastal resources. It describes the most recent trends in several socioeconomic indicators and analyses the drivers behind such trends. Analyses are provided for the EU as a whole and by sector and industry for each Member State.

It intends to serve as a useful step in assessing the potential of oceans and coasts in leading to sustainable economic growth and seeks to support the development of management policies that will ensure this.

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European Comission (2017)

The purpose of the Initiative is to foster sustainable blue growth and jobs, improve safety and security and preserve ecosystems and biodiversity in the western Mediterranean region. This will be achieved through coordination and cooperation among the relevant countries on three main goals and a few priority areas of action. While geographically speaking the Initiative focuses mainly on the seas and coasts surrounding Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia, it also addresses the marine and coastal areas as interconnected systems. The scope of the actions may therefore vary depending on specific needs, and the Framework for Action remains open to other partners in the Mediterranean region.

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PwC (2020)

This report is divided into two parts: a summary of quantitative information on various subsectors that make up the economy of the sea in the world, including trend analysis and a number of rankings of countries by industry; and an economy of the sea map made by overlapping different rankings of countries by industry on a map of the world.

The economy of the sea is part of the world economy and, as such, is affected by the general evolution of the macroeconomics, so, given the growth rates of the various countries, it can be said that the last few years have not been easy. In 2011 the world economy had a lower growth rate than 2010, remaining relatively stable over the following years. In 2017 there was a 3.1% growth, maintaining this forecast for 2018.

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PwC (2020)

The sustainable growth and development of the economy of the sea need an integrated approach. Only this can ensure they are used responsibly, effectively, and equitably.

PwC Portugal has been assessing the usage of the seas for more than 10 years, as part of the international HELM project. It's a unique barometer of the health of the various industries that depend on the oceans, and captures the new and emerging trends affecting them. In this report we look in particular at the challenges and advantages of taking an integrated approach to the oceans: the issues that arise, the practicalities that need to be addressed, and the size of the prize if this can be achieved. We also provide a snapshot of the state of play in the maritime industries, and between the maritime nations.

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PwC (2020)

The economy of the sea is an integrated approach to sea activities with the aim to promote growth and development in a sustainable way.

This map is made by overlapping different rankings of countries by industry on a map of the world.

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PwC (2019)

The sustainable growth and development of the economy of the sea need an integrated approach. Only this can ensure they are used responsibly, effectively, and equitably.

PwC Portugal has been assessing the usage of the seas for more than 10 years, as part of the international HELM project. It's a unique barometer of the health of the various industries that depend on the oceans, and captures the new and emerging trends affecting them. In this report we look in particular at the challenges and advantages of taking an integrated approach to the oceans: the issues that arise, the practicalities that need to be addressed, and the size of the prize if this can be achieved. We also provide a snapshot of the state of play in the maritime industries, and between the maritime nations.

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PwC (2020)

This publication aims to carry out the exercise of calculating the growth rates of the various variables of the economy of the sea, in order to provide the "Compass - PwC Forward-Looking Blue Arena" forum with quantitative information to assist in the debate on Finances and Economics, that will provide clues about the future of the oceans.

It is a forward-looking leadership forum about the oceans, organized in the following relevant subjects, ocean leaders express their views about what is expect for the next 12 months (year 2019) on sea activities: Governance and Ocean Integrated Approach, Finances and Economics, Environment, Knowledge and Innovation, and People, Culture and Identity.

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