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BLUE GROWTH

The theme of the first session was blue growth in the Northern The importance of restoring habitats during or before developing
seas, in reference to the development of emerging maritime ac- new activities was underlined, as it helps restore these means of
tivities such as aquaculture, fishing, biotechnologies, seabed mi- survival and biodiversity, whilst increasing carbon storage capacity.
ning, oil and gas, renewable marine energies and tourism, and the
growing economies they represent. The ocean sector is experien- Speakers acknowledged that increased transparency, internatio-
cing faster growth than the general economy, making oceans the nal cooperation, research, investment and greater accountability
seventh largest world economy. Looking at the difficulties inherent were critical for blue growth. The main yardsticks identified to do
in responsible management of blue growth in the North Sea and this are planning the marine space and ecosystem management,
Arctic Ocean, as well as means to achieve it, the speakers largely supported by comprehensive scientific knowledge and an in-depth
agreed that conservation could go hand in hand with economic assessment of environmental repercussions.
development, whilst sometimes disagreeing on where and how.
Conservation objectives can also develop thanks to a more entre-
Some spoke against the rush towards new forms of ocean ex- preneurial approach, guaranteeing a more rigorous implementa-
ploitation whilst the sea is undergoing a major ecological crisis. tion of measures and an improved return.
The Arctic requires specific precautions, as its ecosystem is cri-
tically important to the planet’s chemical, physical and biological
processes. Climate change is already affecting these processes.
Opening the region to mining industries would accelerate the pro-
duction of greenhouse gases and exacerbate climate change. The
native populations in the region require special consideration, as
their culture, way of life and means of survival rely on the health
and biodiversity of the Arctic ecosystem.

One example of activities involved in blue growth
is the production of marine microalgae using a thermal
power plant’s CO . Buggypower plant, Porto Santo,
2
Madeira, Portugal. © Pierre Gilles