Creating value from a blue economy

In recent years, advocates for sustainable oceans have focused attention on building a sustainable ‘blue economy’, where innovative practices that promote and sustain diverse industries are based on healthy marine ecosystems.  

We studied Aotearoa New Zealand-based initiatives to create economic value from sustainable marine practices and activities. We considered five broad and overlapping marine sub-economies (iwi, techno-science, commodity, community, and small business), and investigated connections between them.

Our research focused on:   

• Defining what a blue economy means for Aotearoa New Zealand and working with economic enterprises and agencies to ensure that its opportunities are recognised and realised
• Ensuring that blue economy considerations are incorporated into models of ecosystem-based management
• Identifying sites and possibilities for transitions to a blue economy  
• Identifying and supporting regional development initiatives to foster regional blue economies and develop their potential
• Highlighting specific enterprise-level production and investment practices that are helping to bring about a blue economy. 

Results

We found several activities are helping Aotearoa New Zealand transition to a blue economy. These include: 

• Investor commitments to sustainable futures (Seafood New Zealand’s ‘Our Promise’ campaign), consumer-oriented and community education programmes;
• the emergence of Māori enterprises with long term and kaitiakitanga approaches to blue economy;
• blue economy champions (individuals and organisations) who support participatory resource management processes;
• and a host of practices from precision seafood harvesting to harvesting of seaweed.