The role of maritime security in supporting the Blue Economy ideology

The role of maritime security in supporting the Blue Economy ideology
The ocean is a vast and valuable resource. It covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and contains an estimated 97% of the planet’s water. The ocean is also home to a wide variety of marine life, including fish, mammals, and birds.

The ocean is not only important for its natural resources, but it is also a vital transportation route. Over 90% of the world’s trade travels by sea. The ocean is also a major source of recreation and tourism.

The economic activities that take place in the ocean are collectively referred to as the Blue Economy. The Blue Economy is a growing sector of the global economy, and it is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars.

The Blue Economy is vulnerable to a number of threats, including piracy, terrorism, and illegal fishing. Maritime security is the protection of the ocean from these threats.

The Importance of Maritime Security

Maritime security is essential to supporting the Blue Economy. By protecting the ocean from threats, maritime security can help to create a safe and secure environment for economic activity. This can lead to economic growth and prosperity for coastal communities around the world.

There are a number of ways in which maritime security can support the Blue Economy. First, maritime security can help to ensure the safety of shipping lanes. This is important for the transportation of goods and services, which are essential for the Blue Economy. Second, maritime security can help to protect marine resources from illegal fishing and other forms of exploitation. This is important for the sustainability of the Blue Economy. Third, maritime security can help to deter and respond to threats such as piracy and terrorism. This is important for the safety of people and property in the ocean.

Examples of Maritime Security Supporting the Blue Economy

There are a number of examples of how maritime security has supported the Blue Economy. One example is the Gulf of Aden. In 2012, the Gulf of Aden was a major piracy hot spot. However, after a concerted effort by international naval forces, piracy in the Gulf of Aden has been virtually eliminated. This has had a significant positive impact on the Blue Economy in the region, as it has made it safer for ships to transit the area.

Another example is illegal fishing. Illegal fishing is a major threat to marine ecosystems. In 2016, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated that illegal fishing cost the global economy $23 billion per year. Maritime security can help to combat illegal fishing by patrolling fishing grounds and enforcing laws and regulations.

Terrorism is a growing threat to the Blue Economy. In 2000, the USS Cole was attacked by terrorists in the port of Aden, Yemen. This attack killed 17 sailors and injured 39 others. Maritime security can help to deter and respond to terrorist attacks by patrolling shipping lanes and protecting critical infrastructure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maritime security is essential to supporting the Blue Economy. By protecting the ocean from threats, maritime security can help to create a safe and secure environment for economic activity. This can lead to economic growth and prosperity for coastal communities around the world.

Recommendations

There are a number of recommendations that can be made to improve maritime security and support the Blue Economy. These recommendations include:

Increased cooperation between countries to share information and resources.
Improved maritime domain awareness to better understand threats and vulnerabilities.
Increased investment in maritime security capabilities, such as ships, aircraft, and sensors.
Development of new technologies to help combat threats, such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

References
Saddington L. Geopolitical imaginaries in climate and ocean governance: Seychelles and the Blue Economy. Geoforum. 2023 Feb 1;139:103682.
Germond‐Duret, C., 2022. Framing the blue economy: Placelessness, development and sustainability. Development and Change, 53(2), pp.308-334.
Fabinyi, Michael, Annie Wu, Sallie Lau, Tabitha Mallory, Kate Barclay, Kathleen Walsh, and Wolfram Dressler. “China’s blue economy: a state project of modernisation.” The Journal of Environment & Development 30, no. 2 (2021): 127-148.