Global mapping project reveals widespread human impact on coastal areas, with 97% of coastlines worldwide affected by major land-based and marine stressors, according to University of Queensland researchers.

Important Facts: According to a survey by the United Nations, coastal areas support over 50% of the world’s population and contribute to more than 60% of global GDP.

• India’s blue economy supports 95% of the country’s commerce through transportation and provides an estimated 4% of GDP.

Coastal Region Conservation: Biodiversity, Climate Benefits, and Economic Significance

• Biodiversity hotspot: Coastal regions are home to diverse species of plants, animals, and marine life, supporting intricate food webs and ecological balance.
• Climate regulation: Coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrasses, play a significant role in carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change impacts. For Example,

• Mangroves along the Sundarbans in India act as carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon dioxide and helping mitigate climate change.
• Seagrass meadows in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, absorb and store carbon dioxide, contributing to climate regulation.

• Coastal protection: Healthy coastal habitats act as natural buffers, absorbing wave energy, reducing erosion, and protecting against storm surges and flooding.
• Economic value: Coastal regions support industries like tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture, contributing to local economies and livelihoods.
• Cultural significance: Coastal areas often hold cultural and historical importance, including traditional practices, indigenous communities, and archaeological sites.

Coastal Region Conservation: Threats And Conservation Strategies

Blue Economy: Sustainable Growth, Marine Resources, and Environmental Stewardship

INDIA’S BLUE ECONOMY

It is a subset of the national economy comprising an entire ocean resources system and human-made economic infrastructure in marine, maritime, & onshore coastal zones within India’s legal jurisdiction. 

INDIA’S BLUE ECONOMY POTENTIAL

• About: According to the World Bank, the blue economy is sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of the marine ecosystem.
• It is a marine-based economic development that includes following sectors:
• Long Coastline: 7,500+ km, 9 coastal states, 1,300+ islands
• Logistics: 200+ ports, including 12 major ports
• Exclusive Economic Zone of over 2 million sq. km – bounty of living and non-living resources.
• Fisheries sector: India ranks 3rd in Fish production, 2nd in Aquaculture.
• Ocean economy or coastal economy – Fisheries, aquaculture, shipping & port, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology, marine renewable energy, seabed mining, hydrocarbon extraction sectors etc.
• Green economy – with focus on the environment sustainability for eg. clean technologies, renewable energy, and circular material flows.

Blue Economy 2.0: Coastal Aquaculture, Sustainability, and Global Impact

• Focus: Restoration + adaptation + expansion measures of coastal aquaculture and mariculture, adopting an integrated and multi-sectoral approach🡺growing demand for seafood while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.

Challenges to Harnessing the Full Potential of the Blue Economy: Governance, Sustainability, and Security Issues

I. Governance Related:

• Regulatory Deficit: No specific organizational framework or comprehensive regulations relating to granting of permissions, leasing, monitoring of offshore activities like exploration, transport, storage 
• Lack of uniform, reliable and accurate Data: to develop effective policies.
• Inadequate Maritime Infrastructure: such as ports, harbors, and logistics facilities, hinders the growth of India’s blue economy by limiting regional connectivity, trade and tourism.
• Federal element: Fisheries is a state subject and states would need to be brought onboard to implement Blue Economy Policy formulated by the Centre.

1. Sustainability Related:

• Overfishing: Destructive fishing methods such as poison fishing, blast fishing, and bottom trawling cause extensive destruction of fish stock and reefs 🡺impact economic & food security.
• Pollution: The release of large amounts of micro-plastics into the marine environment (marine litter).
• Climate change: Additional Sea level rise of 1 metre, would displace 7 million people in India.

III. Security aspects: 

Piracy, maritime terrorism, natural disasters, regional disputes (Sir Creek, Kachchatheevu)

IV. Technological Aspects: 

Poor R&D and lack of ocean technologies (Eg. for offshore oil and gas exploration and deep-sea mining) to harness blue economy benefits.

BLUE ECONOMY – INDIA’S INITIATIVES

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) –National Vision on developing its maritime resources.
• Sagarmala, Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) & Jal Marg Vikas Yojana to revolutionize maritime & coastal logistics.
• Matasya Samapada Yojana for Integrated Development of Fisheries sector.
• Deep Ocean Mission: To explore and harness the depths of the ocean for exploration and exploitation of living (biodiversity) and non-living (minerals) resources
• O-Smart: ocean research and setting up early warning weather systems.
• International engagement – India as “net security provider” in India Ocean.

WAY FORWARD

• Growth-sustainability Balance: Periodic studies to measure the impact of projects on ecologically fragile areas, establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) and adopting integrated coastal zone management approaches. For eg, Seychelles’ Marine Spatial Plan designates 30% of its EEZ as MPAs.
• Pollution Control: Expeditious development of a Plastic Elimination & National Marine Litter Policy.

• • Enhance Domestic Capacity: Investment in financial, physical, natural & human capital. Providing impetus to Blue Knowledge in higher educational institutions and aligning Blue skills development with Skill India initiatives. For eg. Like Australia’s Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre.

• Blue stimulus – To support a ‘sustainable and equitable blue recovery’ with investment in coastal & marine ecosystem protection, sewerage & wastewater infra, zero emission marine transport, ocean based renewable energy, sustainable marine aquaculture etc.

• Creating Blue economy clusters and innovation hubs: bringing together academia, industry, and government agencies to drive R&D in cutting-edge Ocean, Marine & Biotech technologies.

• For eg. On the lines of Ocean Innovation Centre in Canada and BlueTech Valley in California, USA.
• International Cooperation: Adopt best practices and transfer of technology in cooperation with global leaders (USA, Norway, EU) and regional partners like Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) countries.

Conclusion

Conserving coastal regions is essential to safeguard biodiversity, protect against natural hazards, support local economies, and preserve cultural heritage. Through sustainable coastal development, protected areas, ecosystem restoration, and community engagement, we can ensure the long-term resilience and sustainability of these invaluable ecosystems.

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