Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

UN head declares ‘ocean emergency’ as global leaders gather in Lisbon

Karen McVeigh, The Guardian

António Guterres says the world must turn the tide of rising sea levels, ocean heating, acidification and plastics pollution.

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Our waste is valuable: how one company is creating a circular economy for plastics

Emmanuel Ladent, World Economic Forum Plastics & Pollution

With Carbios’s solution, we finally found a biological way to reuse plastic waste.

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Measuring the splash: how will the UN Ocean Conference impact global goals?

World Ocean Initiative, The Economist

Experts weigh in on what they’re hoping will happen at the ocean-focused forum.

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Grow your own mussels: the new phenomenon of sea allotments

Richard Orange, The Guardian Fisheries & Aquaculture

Instead of a field, hundreds of Danish growers now share patches of the ocean – growing mussels, sea kelp and more.

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5 things you should know about the UN Ocean Conference, a chance to save the planet’s largest ecosystem

United Nations

With delegates from Member States, non-governmental organizations, and universities attending, as well as entrepreneurs looking for ways to sustainably develop the “Blue Economy”, there are hopes that this event, taking place in the Portuguese city of Lisbon between 27 June and 1 July, will mark a new era for the Ocean.

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MSC's new fisheries standard unanimously approved by trustees

Chris Chase, Seafood Source Fisheries & Aquaculture

The MSC announced on 24 June its board of trustees unanimously approved the new version of the fisheries standard, which it has hailed as a “major achievement.”

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Can aquaculture businesses expect a “waterfall of capital”?

Rob Fletcher, The Fish Site Fisheries & Aquaculture

While a “waterfall of capital” might come into the aquaculture sector in the near future, there’s a danger that it might not be sufficient to grow the sector in line with demands for blue foods.

Read more → (9 minute read)


Mangroves and Coral Reefs Yield Positive Return on Investment for Flood Protection, Study Finds

Cristen Hemingway Jaynes Plastics & Pollution

Researchers have found that mangroves and coral reefs can be cost-effective in reducing coastal flooding.

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Heat wave: how Orkney is leading a tidal power revolution

Eve Livingston, The Guardian Energy Solutions

Strong tides make conditions in the Scottish islands ideal, but can the UK grasp the opportunity to become a leader in the sector?

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UKHO Seabed Mapping data to help drive maritime trade and growth in Cayman Islands

Marine Technology News Shipping & Ports

Seabed mapping survey sheds light on the shape of the sea floor and habitat areas in surrounding waters, supports the islands’ sustainable blue economy and enables safe navigation.

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Engineers Look to River and Ocean Currents for Clean Energy

John Fialka, Scientific American/E&E News Energy Solutions

The Department of Energy is helping to fund 11 projects that are designed to harness the power of moving water.

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U.N. Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue Explores Ways to Advance Climate and Biodiversity Goals

Courtney Durham & Lauren Swaddell, The Pew Charitable Trusts

Annual convening of governments, civil society recognizes the ocean’s important role in climate action.

Read more → (3 minute read)


Plastitar: mix of tar and microplastics is new form of pollution, say scientists

Ashifa Kassam, The Guardian Plastics & Pollution

Researchers in Canary Islands coin term for new type of marine pollution they say could be leaking toxic chemicals into oceans.

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Fish leather is here, it’s sustainable – and it’s made from invasive species to boot

Richard Luscombe, The Guardian

An avid diver saw how lionfish have devastated populations of Florida’s native tropical fish and resolved to help solve the problem.

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World Oceans Day: Biden Admin Announces National Parks’ Plastic Phaseout, New Marine Sanctuary

Olivia Rosane, EcoWatch Plastics & Pollution

The Biden administration announced new steps to protect the nation’s oceans in honor of both National Ocean Month and World Ocean Day.

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How can we really achieve sustainability in the travel sector

Peter Lochbihler, World Economic Forum Tourism

Sustainable tourism is not just about air travel, there is a great opportunity for emission reductions in the accommodations sector as well.

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Investors: Sustainable Finance Demands More than Just Cutting Carbon

Lihuan Zhou & Hayden Higgins, World Resources Institute Energy Solutions

Sustainable investing is a key part of curbing climate change, and the sector is showing some signs of progress.

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How to build an equitable ocean economy

Micheline Khan & Eliza Northrop, GreenBiz/WEF

Sustainability and equity are two sides of the same coin.

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Aquatech projects land £1.1 million funding

The Fish Site Fisheries & Aquaculture

The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has pledged to support three projects that aim to deliver economic impact and reduce the environmental footprint of aquaculture, following its latest call for research initiatives.

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High hopes for seaweed and jackfruit faux fish fillet

The Fish Site Fisheries & Aquaculture

The Cornish Seaweed Company has joined forces with a foodtech startup to launch the world’s first unbreaded jackfruit and seaweed fish fillet.

Read more → (2 minute read)