1. Empowering Blue Economy Communities through Data and Innovation
- Author:
- Genevieve Donnellon-May
- Publication Date:
- 05-2025
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- East-West Center
- Abstract:
- As the blue economy grows in importance—encompassing sectors from fisheries and aquaculture to maritime transport and offshore energy—so too must our understanding of the families and communities who power it. Given the continuing rise in commercial fishing demand and aquaculture expansion, the importance of ocean resources for global food security and economic stability has become even more critical. Unsustainable practices like overfishing and ocean acidification further threaten both marine ecosystems and community livelihoods. Coastal laborers and their families often remain invisible, underpaid, and vulnerable despite their oversized role in sustaining ocean-based industries. To ensure a more inclusive and sustainable ocean economy, a Targeted Research and Data Collection Program to gather comprehensive data collection and monitoring systems to recognize these contributions and enhance protections for entire communities, while also advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 (sustainable oceans), is needed.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Food Security, Innovation, Data, Economic Stability, and Blue Economy
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus and Indo-Pacific