Experts have identified the Blue Economy also known as the Ocean Economy as a strategic pathway to boosting national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), creating jobs, and achieving sustainable global food security.
The emphasis came during a lecture on Green Mariculture Technology and Sustainable Supply of Blue Food, held as part of an ongoing seminar on Marine Spatial Planning and Blue Economy Development for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Countries in Xiamen, China.
Highlighting seafood as a critical component of global food systems, experts noted that aquatic foods remain underrepresented in international food policy despite their growing importance.
China, with a rich mariculture history spanning over 2,000 years, remains the world’s largest producer of aquaculture products. Experts at the seminar stressed the urgency of scaling up production and innovation in aquaculture to meet rising global seafood demand amid food insecurity.
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Speaking at the event, Vice President of the International Abalone Society, Professor You Weiwei, underscored the critical role of aquaculture in tackling overfishing and hunger, advocating for cross-sectoral collaboration among governments, scientists, and industries.
“Aquaculture is key, especially now that overfishing is a global challenge,” Prof. You said. “We need technological innovations in genetic breeding, sustainable artificial feeds, and modern facilities. Government support and training are vital — particularly for developing nations where aquaculture is still new”, he said.
Professor You, revealed that over 700 million people globally go hungry, a figure that underscores the need to transform food systems and embrace the ocean’s potential to fill the gap.
“Blue food — derived from aquatic animals, plants, or algae — has the potential to drive equitable, sustainable, and healthy food systems. The Blue Economy is currently ranked fifth globally and growing rapidly. It can create jobs, especially for women, and help countries like Nigeria, with limited freshwater and land, meet rising food demands.”
He also highlighted China’s focus on continuous improvement in its marine sector through innovation and policy support, despite current inefficiencies.
“Innovation is the driving force in China. Our policies are open, and we have the population to support a massive market. Just like Nigeria, we must keep moving forward — the future of the Blue Economy is promising.”
Also speaking, Mr. Fang Qinhua emphasized that the Blue Economy must go beyond mere exploitation of marine resources, focusing instead on sustainability as a foundation for long-term growth.
“It’s not just about growth; it’s about sustaining the ocean while leveraging it for economic development,” Fang stated during a session on Comprehensive 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, added that Marine Spatial Planning is central to realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Meanwhile, a Chinese government report projects that global demand for the Blue Economy will double in the coming years. In response, the Chinese government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation and supporting sustainable marine development.
Key Takeaways:
Aquaculture presents a viable solution to overfishing and hunger.
The Blue Economy offers significant GDP and job creation potential.
Innovation, government policy, and cross-sector collaboration are critical to success.
Countries like Nigeria can adapt China’s model to harness their marine resources effectively.