White Paper on Blue Economy
Source: PIB
GS III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
Overview
- News in Brief
- Key Highlights of White Paper on Blue Economy
- What is the Blue Economy?
Why in the News?
Ministry of Earth Sciences has recently released a white paper titled “Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth.”
News in Brief
- Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched a white paper titled “Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth” in collaboration with its strategic knowledge partner.
- As the nodal agency for the implementation of the Blue Economy in India, MoES has been actively working towards enhancing the visibility and effective implementation of blue economy initiatives across the nation.
- This white paper builds upon these efforts by providing a consolidated framework that aligns government actions, fosters cross-sectoral synergies, and promotes greater investment to unlock the vast potential of India’s ocean resources for sustainable and economic development.
Key Highlights of White Paper on Blue Economy
- Strategically leverage sustained investment in blue infrastructure, research and ocean innovation.
- It fosters public-private partnerships and targeted financial mechanisms.
- The paper outlines a roadmap to 2035, prioritising projects and building investor confidence to establish the blue economy .
The white paper identifies specific models demonstrating economic growth and environmental sustainability.
- Community-led seaweed cultivation in Odisha.
- This initiative addresses the socio-economic vulnerability of fishing communities due to dwindling fish stocks by offering seaweed cultivation as a low-investment, high-impact alternative livelihood.
- It provides supplementary income for over 10,000 coastal households and is estimated to absorb dissolved carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change mitigation and improving water quality.
- Kochi’s smart port transformation.
- Integrating digital twin technology this has led to improved operational efficiency, reduced vessel waiting times, and better resource utilisation, enhancing sustainability through precise environmental monitoring.
- Alang, Gujarat’s shipbreaking transformation
- Adhering to Hong Kong International Convention standards, Alang now maximises resource recovery.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ sustainable tourism
- Initiatives such as eco-friendly infrastructure and community-led eco-tours have generated significant revenue and created jobs, while bans on single-use plastics and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have helped preserve coral reefs and reduce waste in tourist zones.
What is the Blue Economy?
Economic activities related to the sea and the coasts
- According to the European Union
- Economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts.
- It covers a wide range of interlinked established and emerging sectors.
- World Bank About Blue Economy
- Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.
- Blue Economy seeks to promote economic development while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of ocean resources and the health of marine ecosystems.
- Recognizes the importance of addressing climate change, reducing marine pollution, and enhancing ocean resilience
Scope of Blue Economy
- According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ocean economy contributed USD 1.5 trillion to the global economy in 2010 and is projected to double by 2030.
- It encompasses various economic sectors, including fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, marine renewable energy, maritime transportation, and coastal infrastructure development and other related activities.
What are the challenges to the blue economy?
- The potential to develop the blue economy is limited by a series of challenges.
- For much of human history, aquatic ecosystems have been viewed and treated as limitless resources and largely cost-free repositories of waste.
- Unsustainable extraction from marine resources, such as unsustainable fishing
- Physical alterations and destruction of marine and coastal habitats and landscapes
- Marine pollution
- Impacts of climate change
Sustainable Activities in Blue Economy
- Harvesting and trade of marine living resources
- Extraction and use of marine nonliving resources (non-renewable)
- Use of renewable non-exhaustible natural forces (wind, wave, and tidal energy)
- Commerce and trade in and around the oceans
- Indirect contribution to economic activities and environments like carbon sequestration, coastal protection activities so on.
How Does Blue Economy Benefit India?
- India, with a long coastline, diversity in terms of fish and other ocean produce, and multiple tourism opportunities, blue economy is highly significant.
- Announced the setting up of five integrated aquaparks.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) would be stepped up to “enhance aquaculture productivity from the existing three to five tonnes per hectare.
- Double exports to Rs 1 lakh crore
- Generate 55 lakh employment opportunities shortly.
- With some 7,500 kilometres, India has a unique maritime position.
- There are nearly 199 ports, including 12 major ports that handle approximately 1,400 million tons of cargo each year.
- Exclusive Economic Zone of over 2 million square kilometres.
Blue Economy Draft Policy Framework
- A draft policy framework on India’s Blue Economy was first released in July 2022.
- The policy document contained key recommendations on the National Accounting Framework for Blue Economy and Ocean Governance.
- Also recommendations for Coastal Marine Spatial Planning and Tourism Priority, Marine Fisheries, Aquaculture and Fish Processing. Manufacturing, Emerging Industries, Trade, Technology, Services and Skill Development, Logistics, Infrastructure and Shipping, Coastal and Deep-Sea Mining and Offshore Energy and Security, Strategic Dimensions and International Engagement.
- A National Blue Economy Advisory Council has been proposed to be set up.
- It will have the secretaries of relevant ministries and departments as members
- Include chief secretaries/principal secretaries of the coastal states and representatives from industry.
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