Experts have identified the Blue Economy, also referred to as the Ocean Economy,as a vital strategy for increasing national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generating employment, and ensuring sustainable global food security.
This perspective was shared during a lecture on Green Mariculture Technology and the Sustainable Supply of Blue Food, part of an ongoing seminar on Marine Spatial Planning and Blue Economy Development for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, held in Xiamen, China.
Aquatic foods, particularly seafood, were emphasized as essential to the global food system. However, experts pointed out that these resources remain significantly overlooked in international food policy discussions, despite their growing relevance.
China, with more than 2,000 years of experience in mariculture, continues to lead globally in aquaculture production. At the seminar, participants emphasized the need to scale up aquaculture innovation and output to meet the rising global demand for seafood, especially in the face of increasing food insecurity.
Addressing the gathering, Professor You Weiwei, Vice President of the International Abalone Society, highlighted aquaculture’s potential to address both overfishing and hunger. He called for strong partnerships between governments, scientists, and industries.
“Aquaculture is essential, especially with the global threat of overfishing,” said Prof. You. “We must invest in innovations such as genetic breeding, sustainable feed alternatives, and modern aquaculture infrastructure. Support from governments and effective training are particularly critical for developing countries where the sector is still emerging.”
He also revealed that more than 700 million people around the world suffer from hunger—an alarming statistic that reinforces the urgent need to transform global food systems and harness the ocean’s potential to help close the nutrition gap.
Blue food—sourced from aquatic animals, plants, and algae—holds significant promise for advancing food systems that are fair, sustainable, and nutritious. Currently ranked as the fifth-largest sector globally, the Blue Economy is expanding rapidly and has the potential to generate employment opportunities, particularly for women, while helping countries like Nigeria,where freshwater and arable land are scarce meet growing food needs.
The presentation also highlighted China’s ongoing efforts to enhance its marine industry through technological advancement and supportive policies, even as the sector continues to face certain inefficiencies.
“Innovation is at the heart of China’s progress,” the speaker noted. “Our policies are inclusive, and our population provides a robust consumer base. Countries like Nigeria must also stay committed to progress—the future of the Blue Economy is full of potential.”
In another address, Mr. Fang Qinhua stressed that the Blue Economy should not be limited to extracting marine resources, but should instead be grounded in sustainability to ensure long-term benefits.
“This is not just about economic expansion, it’s about protecting ocean ecosystems while unlocking their economic value,” Fang remarked during a session on Environmental Improvement Technologies and Blue Economy Development.
Dr. Teng Xin, Deputy Director of Marine Resources and Utilization Research at China’s National Ocean Technology Center, further explained that Marine Spatial Planning plays a crucial role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additionally, a recent Chinese government report forecasts that global demand for Blue Economy resources will double in the near future.
In response, China has reiterated its dedication to fostering innovation and supporting sustainable marine growth through comprehensive policy initiatives.
