BY HERMAN M. LAGON
BORN FROM the experiences of fishermen and the communities depending on them, this wisdom reveals the compass for sustainable growth. Though a recent idea, the blue economy must be anchored in the traditional knowledge of people who have lived and worked with the water for decades, if not centuries.
Not only is it a national but also a worldwide issue the sustainable management of the blue economy raises. Managing ocean resources is provided by international accords including the recently established High Seas Treaty and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Still, governance needs to be more cohesive, with distinct policies applied to the High Seas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), especially in the West Philippine Sea area. Navigating these international waters will call for solid, innovative, and strong-willed regulations safeguarding our marine resources and guaranteeing small-scale fishers are not left behind in the rush toward blue development.
The blue economy has promise outside of conventional sectors like tourism and fishing. It covers newly developing industries, including biotechnology, renewable energy, and deep-sea mining. These fresh prospects, however, should be carefully considered since they balance environmental protection with economic development.
The ocean is capable of controlling world temperatures and absorbing carbon dioxide and is a wonderful friend in the struggle against climate change. The blue economy has to be developed in line with the natural boundaries of the ocean since its potential is not infinite.
For our country, the blue economy presents potential as well as problems. The country’s great maritime resources provide a road for economic growth only provided they are appropriately handled and protected. This implies not only making technological and infrastructure investments but also investing in the people whose lives depend on the sea. It means ensuring small-scale fishers have the tools and protection they need to change with the times and that their opinions are heard in the halls of power, where choices regarding the blue economy are made.
As UP Chancellors Camposagrado and Camacho emphasized, the sustainability of the blue economy hinges on our ability to prioritize the long-term health of our oceans and the communities that depend on them over short-term financial gains. This necessitates a shift in perspective, where social equity is placed on equal footing with economic development, and where wisdom is valued as much as knowledge.
The blue economy is not just about utilizing ocean resources; it’s about ensuring their preservation and availability for future generations, safeguarding their well-being and prosperity.
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Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with./PN
