Why Invest into the Blue Economy?

The term "blue economy" is becoming increasingly common, but what does it really mean, and why is it important? The blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean and water resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and the health of aquatic ecosystems. Given that approximately 71% of the Earth is covered in water, it makes sense to invest in this vital resource that benefits us all. Our daily lives are closely tied to waterways. Many cities are built near rivers, lakes, or oceans, which serve as critical hubs for transportation, shipping, tourism, and food production. Oceans and waterways are also an emerging frontier for industries like cosmetics. As time goes on, the connection between cosmetics and the blue economy will only deepen, making this an area worth our attention. Personally, I’ve always had a deep love for the ocean and waterways. They’ve been an important part of my life, and preserving them for future generations is essential. It’s time to give back to the deep blue. Protecting our oceans, seas, and freshwater systems is not just about environmental preservation—it’s about ensuring our collective future.

Investing in the blue economy is both a moral and practical imperative. For example, generative aquaculture—such as farming macroalgae like seaweed and kelp or cultivating mussels and sea cucumbers—provides numerous benefits. These practices enhance marine habitats, support biodiversity, and offer sustainable alternatives for producing bioplastics, ingredients, textiles, and more. Such innovations can replace harmful materials in industries ranging from surfactants in cleaning products to fabrics in fashion. Additionally, marine resources are vital for food security. Fish and seaweed are rich in proteins and essential nutrients, feeding millions of people worldwide. Oceans also hold potential as sources of energy and new active ingredients for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The blue economy represents an incredible opportunity to create a sustainable future while reaping economic benefits. Let’s dive deeper into how we can leverage these resources responsibly and ensure they thrive for generations to come.

What Is The Blue Economy?

The blue economy encompasses the sustainable use of ocean and freshwater resources to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and maintain the health of marine and coastal ecosystems. Globally, the ocean economy is substantial, with an estimated annual turnover ranging between US$3 trillion and US$6 trillion. This includes contributions from sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, shipping, and marine biotechnology. In the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has outlined a strategic plan to enhance the nation's blue economy across five key sectors: marine transportation, ocean exploration, seafood competitiveness, tourism and recreation, and coastal resilience.[1] Canada boasts the world's longest coastline and has a significant stake in the blue economy. The country's ocean-based industries contribute approximately $31.7 billion annually to the gross domestic product and support nearly 300,000 jobs across sectors like fisheries, aquaculture, energy, shipping, tourism, and recreation.[2] Recognizing the potential for growth, governments around the world are developing a comprehensive Blue Economy Strategy aimed at guiding and supporting the expansion and modernization of high-potential ocean sectors, fostering job creation, and ensuring the sustainability of marine resources.

Blue Beauty is a sustainability-driven movement within the beauty industry that emphasizes the protection and preservation of the world's oceans and aquatic ecosystems. It extends the principles of clean beauty by focusing specifically on reducing environmental harm to marine life, promoting sustainable ingredient sourcing, and minimizing the industry's contribution to ocean pollution. Blue beauty formulations are cosmetic products designed with a focus on sustainability, particularly in their relationship with marine ecosystems. These formulations adhere to principles that ensure minimal harm to oceans, aquatic life, and water resources. They integrate environmentally responsible practices at every stage, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing and packaging.

Marine ingredients are natural compounds and raw materials derived from the ocean's abundant biodiversity, offering unique benefits for various industries, particularly cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. These ingredients include extracts from algae, seaweed, marine collagen, fish oils, and other bioactive substances sourced from aquatic organisms. Formulations are for all personal care products. Can go into all phases of formulations but mainly aqueous phase. In cosmetics, marine-derived ingredients like seaweed extracts, fucoidan, and marine collagen are celebrated for their hydrating, anti-aging, and soothing properties. Algae-based compounds such as carrageenan, alginates, and phycocyanin are commonly used as natural thickeners, oils, emulsifiers, and colorants, enhancing both the functionality and appeal of cosmetic products. These ingredients are not only effective but also biodegradable, aligning with the principles of the blue economy and sustainable beauty. Marine minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, and trace elements, are derived from seawater or marine sediments and are known for their vital health and skincare benefits. These minerals help strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration, and support overall wellness by replenishing essential nutrients.

The beauty industry has a significant environmental impact, contributing to pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. For example, 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans annually, much of it from packaging. Moreover, some synthetic ingredients and microplastics from beauty products contaminate marine ecosystems, harming aquatic life. Blue Beauty seeks to address these challenges by integrating ocean-conscious practices at every stage of product development and lifecycle.

The Importance of Regenerative Aquaculture

Regenerative aquaculture, also known as restorative aquaculture, is an innovative approach that not only produces seafood but also actively contributes to the restoration and enhancement of marine ecosystems. This method involves cultivating species such as seaweeds and shellfish, which provide ecological benefits like improving water quality, sequestering carbon, and creating habitats for marine life. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has emphasized the importance of sustainable aquaculture practices. In 2022, the FAO reported that enhancing the sustainable production of aquatic foods offers a promising pathway toward improving both diet quality and planetary health. [3] Regenerative aquaculture offers a sustainable alternative that aims to restore ecosystems and ensure coastal communities' prosperity. [4] In summary, regenerative aquaculture presents a viable solution to meet the growing demand for seafood while simultaneously restoring and preserving marine ecosystems. Its adoption is crucial for achieving global sustainability goals and ensuring the health of our planet's oceans.

Multi-use in offshore wind farms with farming of blue mussels and sugar kelp can deliver emission free energy, nutritious seafood, and positive ecosystem services through emission (CO2 and nutrients) capture and utilization. - Communications Earth & Environment (Commun Earth Environ) ISSN 2662-4435 (online), 2024

How to Invest Into the Blue Economy

Investing in aquaculture and marine biotechnology offers a wealth of opportunities, driven by the increasing global demand for sustainable food sources, innovative technologies, and eco-friendly solutions. Aquaculture, as one of the fastest-growing food production sectors, provides an alternative to traditional fishing, helping to meet the world's protein needs while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks. Opportunities lie in expanding sustainable practices, such as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), which enhances resource efficiency by cultivating multiple species like fish, shellfish, and seaweed in a single ecosystem. This approach not only reduces waste but also increases overall productivity.

When investing in the blue economy, one of the most important steps is educating yourself about the specific sectors and opportunities you’re considering. Are you looking into aquaculture farming facilities? If so, are they offshore or onshore? Are they focusing on microalgae or macroalgae like kelp and red algae? It’s crucial to understand what’s being farmed and how it will be processed. In many cases, the cultivation and processing of marine resources are divided among different entities. For example, growers of macroalgae may focus solely on farming, while marine biotech companies process the raw materials into ingredients for final products. Some companies manage the entire process—from farming to ingredient production to creating finished products—while others specialize in just one stage. Understanding this distinction is key when evaluating investment opportunities. Additionally, consider the end uses of these marine-derived ingredients. They can be turned into a variety of products, including food, cosmetics, textiles, and bioplastics. The potential is vast, with applications ranging from T-shirts and bags to surfactants and active ingredients for skincare. The diversity of outputs underscores the transformative potential of the blue economy.
Investors must also evaluate the expected return on investment and the timeline for achieving results. The blue economy requires patience, as it often involves building infrastructure and proving concepts over time. However, we’ve reached a stage where numerous pilot projects around the world have been successfully implemented, providing models that can be replicated in other regions. Globally, the landscape is shifting. Asia currently leads the way, producing 90% of aquaculture outputs worldwide. In comparison, Europe, North America, and South America are lagging behind. To catch up, there’s a pressing need for greater collaboration among governments, businesses, and researchers to establish robust regulatory systems and streamline the development of aquaculture and marine biotechnology.
Investing in the blue economy is not just about financial gain—it’s about contributing to a sustainable future. With the right focus, education, and partnerships, this sector has the potential to drive innovation and economic growth while preserving our oceans and waterways for generations to come.

Sources
​[1]https://www.noaa.gov
​[2]https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/about-notre-sujet/blue-economy-economie-bleue/engagement-paper-document-mobilisation/part1-eng.html
[3]https://www.aquaculturescience.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/aquaculture/RegenerativeAquaticFoodsRoadmap.pdf
[4]https://th.boell.org/en/2023/10/23/developing-regenerative-aquaculture-southeast-asia​