The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation while preserving marine ecosystem health. In the context of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), as emphasized by the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and India’s SAGAR initiative, the Blue Economy encompasses a wide range of maritime activities that balance economic development with environmental sustainability. As of May 22, 2025, the Blue Economy remains a critical focus for IOR nations, addressing both opportunities and challenges in the maritime domain.
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| Blue Economy : Sustainable Development in the Indian Ocean Region |
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Blue Economy: Core Components and Sustainable Development
The Blue Economy includes various sectors that leverage ocean resources responsibly:
Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Sustainable fishing and fish farming to meet food security needs while preventing overfishing. In the IOR, nations like Seychelles and Comoros rely heavily on fisheries, with IORA initiatives supporting responsible practices since 2017.
Maritime Trade and Shipping:
The Indian Ocean hosts over 50% of global maritime trade, including key choke points like the Strait of Malacca. Ports and shipping contribute significantly to economies, with countries like Singapore and India enhancing port infrastructure for efficiency and sustainability.
Marine Tourism:
Coastal and marine tourism, such as beach resorts and cruise tourism, drives economic growth in nations like Mauritius and Maldives. IORA’s focus on tourism, highlighted during the 2024 IORA Film Festival in Sri Lanka, promotes cultural exchange and revenue generation.
Renewable Energy:
Harnessing ocean-based renewable energy, such as offshore wind, tidal, and wave energy. India, for example, is exploring offshore wind projects in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat as of 2025 to reduce carbon emissions.
Marine Biotechnology:
Utilizing marine organisms for pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and other products. Research in the IOR, supported by IORA’s academic cooperation, focuses on marine biodiversity for sustainable innovation.
Coastal Infrastructure and Resource Extraction:
Sustainable development of ports, coastal cities, and extraction of minerals like deep-sea mining, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Seychelles has benefited from IORA’s coastal zone management projects since 2018.
Blue Economy: Importance in the Indian Ocean Region (2025)
The IOR’s Blue Economy is vital for regional economies, with millions depending on marine resources for livelihoods. The 2017 Jakarta Declaration on Blue Economy by IORA underscored its importance, emphasizing sustainable marine resource use. As of May 22, 2025:
- Economic Contribution: The Blue Economy contributes significantly to IOR GDP. For instance, fisheries account for over 15% of Seychelles’ GDP, while maritime trade supports 90% of India’s international trade by volume.
- Job Creation: Sectors like fisheries, tourism, and shipping employ millions. In Maldives, tourism accounts for 60% of foreign exchange earnings, directly supporting over 30,000 jobs.
- Environmental Sustainability: With climate change threats like rising sea levels and coral bleaching, the Blue Economy promotes sustainable practices to protect marine ecosystems, crucial for small island nations like Comoros.
Blue Economy: Alignment with SAGAR and IORA
India’s SAGAR initiative integrates the Blue Economy into its regional vision, promoting sustainable growth through capacity-building and cooperation. The IOS SAGAR mission, which visited Seychelles on May 1, 2025, exemplifies this by fostering maritime collaboration. IORA’s Blue Economy initiatives, such as fisheries support in Comoros and coastal management in Seychelles, align with these goals, ensuring economic benefits while safeguarding marine environments.
Challenges Facing the Blue Economy
Despite its potential, the Blue Economy in the IOR faces several challenges as of 2025:
- Overexploitation: Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing depletes fish stocks, threatening food security and livelihoods in nations like Somalia.
- Environmental Degradation: Marine pollution, including plastic waste and oil spills, harms ecosystems. The Indian Ocean accounts for 30% of global marine plastic pollution, per 2024 UNEP reports.
- Climate Change: Rising sea levels and ocean acidification endanger coastal infrastructure and biodiversity, particularly in low-lying states like Maldives.
- Geopolitical Tensions: The India-China rivalry, intensified by China’s Belt and Road Initiative, creates competing economic interests, as seen in port projects in Sri Lanka and Maldives.
- Resource Gaps: Smaller IOR nations lack the technology and funding to fully harness Blue Economy opportunities, relying on support from larger members like India and Australia.
Blue Economy: Recent Developments and Future Outlook
In 2025, the Blue Economy remains a priority for IOR nations. India’s leadership in IORA, especially during its 2021–2023 chairmanship, advanced Blue Economy initiatives, with projects like sustainable fishing training for Tanzanian fishermen. The IOS SAGAR port calls in May 2025, such as in Port Victoria, Seychelles, highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime economies through cooperation.
Looking ahead, IORA’s planned 2026 summit in South Africa aims to focus on green maritime technologies, such as zero-emission shipping and marine renewable energy. Innovations like India’s offshore wind projects and Seychelles’ blue bonds (introduced in 2018) offer models for sustainable financing. By addressing challenges through regional collaboration, the Blue Economy can drive inclusive growth, ensuring the IOR’s marine resources benefit all while preserving the ocean’s health for future generations.
