Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

What does the Biden presidency hold for ocean sustainability?

World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

A major drive to promote offshore renewable energy, sustainable aquaculture and coastal restoration while redoubling international commitments is likely.

Read more → (6 minute read)


Women in aquaculture: Emily Selinger

Bonnie Waycott, The Fish Site Fisheries & Aquaculture

Born in Freeport, Maine, Emily Selinger quickly fell in love with working on the water. After getting a captain’s licence and working on schooners along the East Coast, she returned to Freeport and set up her own oyster farm, Emily’s Oysters.

Read more → (12 minute read)


Help UK seas recover to deliver £50bn in benefits, report urges

Emily Beament, Yahoo! Finance Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

Restoring the UK’s seas from their damaged state could give a £50 billion boost to the economy, create thousands of new jobs and help the climate crisis, a report says.

Read more → (4 minute read)


MSC: World Missing Out on Nutrition for 72 Million Due to Overfishing

Perishable News Fisheries & Aquaculture

The Marine Stewardship Council says the world is missing out on enough protein to meet the yearly needs of 72 million people, because not all fisheries have been sustainably managed.

Read more → (3 minute read)


More than 50 countries commit to protection of 30% of Earth's land and oceans

Patrick Greenfield and Fiona Harvey, The Guardian Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

A coalition of more than 50 countries has committed to protect almost a third of the planet by 2030 to halt the destruction of the natural world and slow extinctions of wildlife.

Read more → (5 minute read)


Seaweed could unlock entirely new industry in the Bay of Plenty

Shannon Redstall, Newshub Fisheries & Aquaculture

A state-of-the-art aquaculture facility at Waikato University is breeding seaweed to help researchers harness its full potential.

Read more → (2 minute read)


Oyster Farms Lead to Rise in Maryland Aquaculture

Michael Short, Delmarva Correspondent, Lancaster Farming Fisheries & Aquaculture

Aquaculture is on the rise in Maryland and much of that consists of growing oysters. Oysters are placed in mesh cages and then put in the water to grow until they reach market size. The Maryland Farm Bureau Winter Webinar Series focused on aquaculture on Tuesday, Jan. 5.

Read more → (4 minute read)


Seaweed and solar energy join hands at sea

European Commission, CORDIS Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

Two EU-backed Dutch companies have created the first offshore solar and seaweed farm in the North Sea, making solar energy production and seaweed cultivation possible in the same space.

Read more → (3 minute read)


Repurposed: Adding value to aquaculture via recycling

Bonnie Waycott, Global Aquaculture Alliance Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

Efforts in Chile, Europe illustrate new opportunities for environmental stewards and entrepreneurs.

Read more → (6 minute read)


NOAA and USAID join forces to help nations combat illegal fishing practices

NOAA Fisheries & Aquaculture

The United States has taken another step forward as an international leader in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing — a practice that threatens global food security, damages economies, and risks the sustainability of fisheries and marine ecosystems.

Read more → (2 minute read)


Philippines approves USD 10 million COVID-related stimulus for aquaculture sector

Toan Dao, The Seafood Source Fisheries & Aquaculture

The Philippines Department of Agriculture has allocated an additional budget of PHP 500 million (USD 10.4 million, EUR 8.5 million) to assist the country’s aquaculture sector in overcoming difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more → (2 minute read)


The start-up that believes seaweed can change the world

Karen Scofield Seal, World Economic Forum Fisheries & Aquaculture

Demand for plant-based food and nutrition is growing. According to recent retail sales data, grocery sales of plant-based foods in place of animal products grew 29% in the U.S. to $5 billion between 2017 and 2019.

Read more → (5 minute read)


Ceiba, a sailboat capable of transporting 350 tons, being built in Costa Rica

Marco Sibaja, The Tico Times Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

On the shore of a mangrove in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, a huge sailboat is beginning to take shape. But it’s not just any vessel. It will carry cargo with the force of the wind, and without fossil fuels.

Read more → (4 minute read)


How Seaweed and Sustainable Solutions Are Alleviating Poverty

Angelica Smyrnios, Borgen Magazine Fisheries & Aquaculture

In the United Nations’ latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) conference, the global eradication of poverty in all its forms was identified as the first goal that must be achieved by 2030. As a subcategory of this goal, the U.N. added that it is necessary to reduce the exposure of affected populations “to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters” as disadvantaged populations are particularly vulnerable to the environment.

Read more → (5 minute read)


How China is applying ecological engineering techniques in pond aquaculture

Megan Howell, The Fish Site Fisheries & Aquaculture

Such methods can dramatically reduce water use, feed use, disease, medication and nutrient effluents in wastewater, while increasing yields and survival rates, according to a new paper in Reviews in Aquaculture.

Read more → (5 minute read)


Why the finance sector needs to catch the blue wave

Eric Usher, World Ocean Initiative Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

Eric Usher, head of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), calls for a transformational shift in private finance to regenerate ocean health.

Read more → (5 minute read)


Could Seaweed Help Save Us From Climate Catastrophe?

Nadra Nittle, HuffPost Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

Perhaps the most promising solution for reducing bovines’ release of this powerful planet-warming gas? Feeding cows seaweed.

Read more → (14 minute read)


How to foster talent for a sustainable ocean economy

World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

A recent webinar discussed solutions that businesses, academic institutions and governments can implement to equip people with the skills they will need to enjoy thriving careers in marine industries in the future.

Read more → (6 minute read)


Seaweed industry stays afloat, seeks growth during pandemic

The Independent Fisheries & Aquaculture

The coronavirus pandemic has been a struggle for much of American seafood but at least one sector of the industry has found a way to grow during the crisis — the seaweed business.

Read more → (4 minute read)


Seaweed 101: The Potential of Seaweed Aquaculture in the Blue Economy

Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Investable Oceans Fisheries & Aquaculture

For many North Americans, direct interaction with seaweed products has largely been limited to sushi and high-end beauty products. No longer. Over the last decade, seaweed cultivation has emerged as an area of growth and innovation, with applications ranging widely from culinary to climate solutions.

Read more → (8 minute read)