This project mainly funded by the MAVA foundation aims to identify indicators, select tools and recommend policies to promote the "blue economy", defined as a sustainable economy in the Mediterranean valuing and protecting healthy environmental ecosystems
The Blue economy project main objectives are:
1. to define a vision and definition of the sustainable economy in the Mediterranean region based on healthy environmental eco-systems that is shared and acknowledged by all relevant Mediterranean stakeholders;
2. to integrate the tools and measures defined by that blue economy vision within four main on-going regional processes contributing to the identification of measures and objectives for sustainable development in the Mediterranean: MSSD review, ECAP, Mediterranean SCP Action Plan and ICZM Protocol.
In order to achieve these objectives, a crucial point is to involve regional stakeholders in the project to mainstream the concept of Blue economy. To this end, a steering committee, involving Plan Bleu, SCP/RAC and PAP/RAC, in their quality of regional activity centers to the Barcelona convention, working on themes related to Blue Economy, will give the strategic directions throughout the project.
Operational objectives are:
3. Plan Bleu, SCP/RAC, PAP/RAC involved in the drafting of the vision and definition with the support of a strategic advisory board
4. Plan Bleu, SCP/RAC, PAP/RAC mainstream blue economy's identified tools and measures in the corresponding governance processes lead by each of them Likewise, the project proposes to ensure the establishment of bridges linking those mentioned governance process under the Blue Economy umbrella.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
June 2017
A concrete definition of the
June 2017
A critical review of the existing indicators and tools utilised in the
June 2017
An analysis of the trends of this core set of
June 2017
A dashboard visualizing the environmental, social and economic trends regarding the Blue Economy in the Mediterranean region.
