The Blue Revolution: The Future is Blue

Contextual Introduction:

With the idea of 'Self-Reliant India' progressing, the PM of India has said that the development of the 'Blue Economy' is going to be an important initiative of the programme. For the first time, researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have gone ahead in studying the ecological and economical value of water bodies and related sources in Karnataka. This will be a part of the Blue Economy study, a joint initiative taken up by the Central Government and the World Bank.

Furthermore, in December 2022, India and Indonesia organised the 4th ASEAN- Indian Blue Economy workshop. The events here are underlining about the idea of Blue Economy. Hence, here's an article that shall help you to understand about the multiple facets associated with this dynamic and significant idea.

What is the Blue Economy?

The concept seeks to promote economic growth, social inclusion and the improvement of livelihood patterns of people while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the water resources including the oceans and the coastal areas. This idea got geared up by Gunter Pauli's book, 'The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs.'

The Blue Economy consists of sectors whose returns are linked to the living 'renewable' resources of the oceans (such as fisheries) as well as those related to non-living and therefore non-renewable resources (including extractive industries such as activities of dredging and mining that are required to perform in a manner that they do not cause any loss to the ecosystem.

Blue Economy is defined by the World Bank as the 'Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs together with preserving the health of the ecosystem.

It essentially refers to the amount of ocean resources available in the country that can be utilized to aid the process of production of goods and services. The idea has very strong linkages with things such as economic growth, environmental sustainability and national security.

The United Nations introduced 'Blue Economy' at a conference in 2012. The conference highlighted that marine ecosystems are more productive when they are healthy. Clearly, the emphasis was made on juducious management of resources. The UN maintains that Blue Economy is that very thing that is needed to implement the SDG 14, Life Below Water.

The ocean is the most significant component of the earth. Still, the marine ecosystems are being degraded. The marine crises is not accidental. It is indeed facing a systemic threat.

The Blue Economy is the concept of securing sustainable development which is encouraged to be applied equally to fisheries and marine sector. It also deals with the improvement of livelihoods and jobs along with the maintenance of health of marine ecosystems. Renewable energy, tourism, climate changes, fisheries, waste management and maritime transport. These segments have a high value on the economic front. Ocean continues to play a dominant role in human life. 90% of global trade by volume is carried by sea, multiple jobs are linked to fisheries and by 2025, it is estimated that 34% of crude oil production will come from offshore fields.

Significance of Blue Economy:

Maritime renewable energy sources such as offshore wind, solar arrays, waves and tidal power have enormous potential in generating power and energy. They are enough in scale to maintain independence in the energy sector. Energy saved is energy produced. Hence, in a way the process is helping countries meet their emissions reduction commitments under the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
The report Offshore Wind Outlook, 2019 by the International Energy Agency (IEA), offshore wind power has the potential to generate more than 18 times the global electricity demand today.
Investment in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture will create well-paid jobs. It will help in securing food security and stability in economy. Developing countries can definitely seek more profit from this sector alone.
Regenerative Tourism can form an important building block in ensuring economic recovery for those nations which either support ocean and nature or are largely dependent on them.
Maritime transport plays an important role in the globalised market. Various things such as cargo ships, tankers and ports together contribute a lot in the ocean-related activities.
80% of trade is constituted largely by the coastal trade. 40% of the world's population lives near coastal areas and more than 3 billion people access the oceans for their livelihood.

Current Scenario of Blue Economy in World:

According to the some sources, oceans contribute $1.5 million annually in value-added to the overall economy. The magnitude is expected to increase exponentially by 2030.
The FAO estimates have revealed that around 58.5 million people are employed worldwide in fish production alone. Primarily, women have a greater degree of participation in this sector. Around 600 million livelihoods depend on aquaculture. Although, the workforce involved here is small-scale, artisanal fisheries and fish farmers.
Fisheries have a commendable 'sale value' too. It is estimated around US $406.
Aquatic foods provide the scope for a protein rich diet in the population. This proportion is much required in the poorer countries to develop a better and healthy model.
Millions of people travel to the coral reef coast of the world. The tourism coming from this sector is $36 billion. Coastal and marine tourism mainly constitute for 50% of global tourism which is equivalent to 5% of world's GDP.
Offshore winds have great potentials of wind generation. In a way, the renewable energy sector gets a boost.
The marine sector is well-equipped with a model that aims to promote exports. As per the latest data that's available, ocean-based industries contribute to $2.5 trillion.
The pandemic has affected the ocean sectors adversely such as the stopping of fish prove and tourism and increasing medical waste on beaches.

Significance of Blue Economy for India:

The entire ocean resources system and artificial infrastructure in marine areas and onshore coastal areas that lie under the jurisdiction of India contribute to a significant share to the GDP of the country.
India is lucky to have a extensive coastline. With some 7,500 kilometres, India secures an edge over the other coastal nations.
The extent of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has a variety of living and non-living resources with significant amounts of crude oil and natural gas.
The coastal economy sustains over 4 million fishermen and casual towns. India is the second-largest fish producing nation in the world and has a huge naval fleet too.
Due to the advancement in coastal trade, nine of India's states that have an access to coastline have seen tremendous growth. Mormugao Port, located in Goa, handles the major business activities. Large amounts of iron-ore exported from this port alone. These coastal ports harbour a lot of economic activities.
The Indian Ocean's Blue Economy has become a global economic corridor. It is the world's third-largest body of water, covering areas that are rich in oil and mineral resources. India also has the right to drill the manganese nodules present in the oceanic regions under it's jurisdiction. Various mine locations have been set up in these areas.
Domestic trade will get an impetus through coastal shipping and inland water transportation. Foreign trade will increase through the development of Coastal Economic Zones and by modernising the infrastructure.
Blue Economy development focuses on livelihood generation by creating employment opportunities and improving health and living standards. This is is convergence with the employment projects of the Indian government.
Blue Economy focuses on more fuel-efficient, cheaper and reliable mode of transportation. It also aims to promote coastal biodiversity and ecologically safe industry.
Indo-Pacific region has become a strategic zone of international politics. A potent pattern of Blue Economy will help in safeguarding India's geopolitical interests. It will also help India in dealing with the aggressive stance of China in this region.
Blue Economy will help in promoting and strengthening relations of India with it's neighbouring countries.

Steps that Should be Taken:

The emerging technologies should vastly reduce the emissions from vessels and port facilities. The global world should set standards so that environmental sanctions are followed effectively.
Investment in aquaculture will diversify means of employment and will promote food security too.
Ocean and the nature should be generated in a manner that it supports tourism well. This will contribute as an important step in the economic recovery of developing nations.
Inter-sectional experts and stakeholders should involve themselves in mutual discussion and consultation. Civil societies must include the fishing communities and indigenous communities to participate as a whole.
The UN stresses that equity must not be forgotten when supporting a blue economy. Land and resources often belong to communities and the interest of the local communities gets endangered when sectors such as coastal tourism are encouraged.
Development of blue economy calls for national and global expertise. Any transformation must include integrated marine spatial planning. A collaborative participation of all stakeholders would make room for things to get better.

Steps Taken by the Indian Government:

The Ministry of Earth Sciences released the draft of the National Policy for India's Blue Economy 2021. The goal of the policy document is to increase the blue economy's contribution to overall GDP of the country. It also aims to underline things such as improving the lives of people living around coastal areas, protection of marine biodiversity and ensuring the national security in these regions. The proposed policy aims to achieve holistic growth along with the development of primary fisheries unit.
India has been involving herself keenly in the Indian Ocean Rim Association for promotion of blue economy in these coastal states.
There is this scheme called, 'Matsaya Sampada Yojana' that focuses on the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country. It will bring out a revolution if done in a responsible, inclusive and equitable manner.

Objectives of Blue Economic Policy are:

An Expert Group would recommend chshdes to meet both the national and local demands. The CMSP (Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning) would serve as the foundation for the future development of the Blue Economy in India's Exclusive Economic Zones. It also aims at the promotion of ecotourism in these areas.
Blue Economy activities will be integrated with issues such as that of forest and climate change. Blue Economy will also emphasise on the fulfillment of SDG Goals.
The National Blue Economy Council would serve as an apex body which will work to implement the plans of Blue Economy. It will deal with this working on multiple stages. Wastage of effort and policy uncertainity will be avoided. Skill management and supervisory action shall lead to comprehensive planning.
The marine sector management was initially started with an average budget in 2015-16. But now the programme has set to achieve dynamic results with great magnitudes of investment. In a way, the Blue Economy is set to bring a Blue Revolution.
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructural Development Fund (FIDF) was established to provide concession credit to state and UT governments. Private sector is also being encouraged to fill the gaps in the fisheries infrastructure.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched to bring about a Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the country's fisheries sector.

Challenges in the Realization of Blue Economy:

Uncontrolled exploration of marine resources. There are reports being found that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Physical destruction of marine and coastal habitat due to activities of deforestation and mining.
Unplanned schemes are leading to the impoverishment of marginal communities.
Marine pollution like the release of untreated sewage, industrial pollutants, agricultural run-off and marine debris such as plastics.
Impact of climatic change events is changing the weather conditions very rapidly in these coastal areas.
Ineffective governance, lack of institutions, inadequate economic benefits, technological advances, lack of full implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other legal instruments.

Way Forward:

India should focus on marine transport, communication services and creation of a hub for marine research and development. Traditional sectors shouldn't get displaced off entirely.
Economic development should be coupled with sustainable development for meeting diverse goals such as growth, employment generation, equity and protection of environment.
An effective redressal mechanism should be there to address humanitarian crises and natural disasters.

Conclusion:

The Blue Economy is expected to receive a significant growth in the coming years. Transitioning from an agricultural industry towards a bluer economy is a challenging task but it's not something that is next to impossible. Governments and people must work collectively to develop the pattern of such economies. India has long-term visions associated with Blue Economy such as growth, employment, equity and environmental protection.

The Blue Economy is thus an extremely significant part that is already on the drive of a big transformation and is set to bring a revolution in the years to come.

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