In the past few years, the concept of a sustainable Blue Economy (BE) has increasingly taken centre stage in international relations. Within the Indian Ocean, countries as large as India and as small as the Seychelles have implemented various BE principles into their national development strategies. Given its emerging importance, stakeholders will need to consider the role that the BE can play in sustainably scaling up commerce, trade, and connectivity through the use of innovation and technology.
Seychelles is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These include rising sea levels, extreme ocean temperatures, tidal surges, and coastal flooding, all of which impact the country’s economy significantly. Seychelles is leveraging its experience to champion global discussions on ocean governance and secure climate change financing. Despite having a population of 104,000 and only one major port, the country launched the world’s first US $15 million Blue Bond and closed a debt-for-climate change swap in 2015. The island nation also declared 30 percent of its ocean space a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2020, thus, exceeding its commitment to protect 10 percent of its exclusive economic zone under SDG-14.5. These initiatives point to Seychelles’ aspirations towards being recognised as a Large Ocean Economy on the world stage.
Seychelles is leveraging its experience to champion global discussions on ocean governance and secure climate change financing.
In comparison, India’s BE covers a coastline of 7,500 kilometres, 14 major ports that handle over 1,400 metric tons of cargo per year, and 4 million people whose livelihoods depend on coastal communities. Around 95 percent of India’s trade comes in by sea. The country is also the second-largest fish-producing nation in the world, with a fleet of over 250,000 fishing boats. In drafting its BE policy, India has recognised the vital role blue economies can play in improving the standard of living in coastal communities, increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and conserving marine biodiversity.
BE frameworks also underpin the need for a more inclusive accord around maritime governance. Seychelles and India, for instance, are vastly different in terms of land size, population, and economic growth. Nonetheless, relations between the two countries are embedded with a spirit of cooperation, driven by mutual interests to safeguard maritime security and reinforce sustainable ocean management in the Indian Ocean. With a history of technical and financial support dating back to 1976, the partner countries have cultivated a commitment to collaboration. To note, both have adopted the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and participate in regional forums such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).[1]
However, with its growing heft on the international stage, India has the opportunity to play a bigger part in maritime governance. In this regard, sustainable technology and innovation can shine a light on the aspects of the BE that require critical attention, such as maritime logistics, ports and shipping, and human capacity development.
Relations between the two countries are embedded with a spirit of cooperation, driven by mutual interests to safeguard maritime security and reinforce sustainable ocean management in the Indian Ocean.
When it comes to technology, the use of robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) could revolutionise supply change management, maritime logistics and shipping. Notwithstanding security and privacy concerns, technology aids such as remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and big data could also help in monitoring and protecting natural resources. Increasingly, ‘Blue Tech’ is looking to scale up the BE by delivering new solutions for old problems; these range from deploying robots for beach cleaning, and underwater turbines, instigating undersea agriculture and using autonomous ships. Other BE sectors will also benefit from such innovations. India, for instance, is projected to generate US$ 100 million by 2025 through biological and bio-technology industrial growth. For its part, the Government of Seychelles has acknowledged the importance of technology and innovation in driving a sustainable BE and has recently developed the Blue Technology Incubator, to foster entrepreneurship in marine-related industries.
Further innovations in renewable offshore energy, desalination, sustainable aquaculture, and marine biotechnology are spearheading growth in the BE by helping create new jobs and economic opportunities. Seychelles recently launched an ambitious government-backed aquaculture project, to secure food nutrition, create entrepreneurial opportunities and add value to the fisheries sector. When it comes to the Indian Ocean—the second-largest tuna-producing region globally—illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is one of the greatest threats to sustainable fisheries. To that end, recent innovations in large-scale forensic-grade genotyping (required for the identification and provenance of tuna species) have resulted in a 1.3 million euro project designed to assess an Indian Ocean-wide stock structure for tuna, billfish and sharks. Such initiatives suggest that the BE can promote resilience, mitigate unsustainable activities, and become a major contributor towards countries’ economic prosperity.
The Government of Seychelles has acknowledged the importance of technology and innovation in driving a sustainable BE and has recently developed the Blue Technology Incubator, to foster entrepreneurship in marine-related industries.
In conclusion, Industry 4.0 technologies may present an opportunity for countries looking to scale their BE agendas faster and more effectively. However, the sustainable growth of BE, which includes ocean conservation efforts, is underscored by the need for collaboration. Seychelles and India have set this precedent by recognising the potential of their BE and leveraging shared maritime experiences to improve livelihoods, promote environmental stewardship and build economic resilience. Such partnerships have enhanced both countries’ pathways for growth and have ultimately showcased how countries, both big and small, can work together to address challenges in the blue economy.