Can the "Blue Economy" be the Answer to Marine Conservation?

In all habitats and realms, there has been a push towards melding economic growth with conservation. In theory this sounds good—but the challenge is making it practical and real.  A partnership between the Waitt Foundation... [ view full abstract ]

In all habitats and realms, there has been a push towards melding economic growth with conservation. In theory this sounds good—but the challenge is making it practical and real.  A partnership between the Waitt Foundation and UCLA is developing a toolkit of “blue economy” options that is being tested via case studies in small island developing states (SIDS).  The project is combining expertise from international law and aid, business entrepreneurship, fisheries, and ecosystem services.  We do this by drawing on graduate students from the business, law, public affairs and environment programs at UCLA who work in teams focusing on one SIDS at a time.  Upon completion, the project will present a synthesis of existing options that belong to the “blue economy” portfolio, as well as initial methods for evaluating their likely return on investment.  Obvious options include tourism and fisheries, including aquaculture, but many islands have additional land-based opportunities that interact with marine systems. Moreover, there are lessons to be learned from terrestrial conservation efforts that have centered on sustainable development.  We highlight those lessons and how our “blue economy” inquiry will be illuminated by them.