On World Fisheries Day (21 November), we reflect on the vital role sustainable and inclusive fisheries play in global economies, especially for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. For these nations, the connection between their economies and the sea is deep and indispensable. Fisheries and aquaculture are not only crucial to the ocean economy but also form a significant portion of their GDP, supporting millions of livelihoods.
Around 25% of the world’s fish production comes from the 10 ASEAN nations, employing an estimated 12 million people in the fisheries sector. They will continue to provide a quarter of the world’s fish demand between 2030 and 2050, with half of that coming from aquaculture, including species like pangasius, carp, tilapia, and shrimp. Although capture fisheries will continue to play a role, the rapid growth of aquaculture in recent years has been transformative, with capture production largely stagnant.
To accelerate the shift toward a sustainable and inclusive fisheries sector, the ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation Challenge, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the ASEAN Secretariat and UNDP Indonesia, is supporting innovation projects that promote the blue economy sector in the ASEAN nation and Timor-Leste.
Among the 60 winners of the Challenge, 20 focus on sustainable fisheries, advancing sustainability and productivity by adopting precision aquaculture and circularity in fisheries, and combating illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, as well as addressing the issue of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). These initiatives are crucial to ensuring ASEAN’s fisheries remain resilient and sustainable for future generations, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
The ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation Challenge is helping transform the fisheries sector by supporting novel projects that are ready to scale up to accelerate the inclusive and sustainable blue economy sector in the ASEAN region and beyond. It also supports project addressing marine plastic pollution and climate change and accelerating sustainable tourism. These projects highlight the power of innovation in ensuring that the growth of ASEAN’s blue economy is sustainable and inclusive, making strides toward a future where both the economy and the environment can thrive together.