IB2015/54 The Blue Economy: Plenty of Potential

Pacific islanders depend on coastal and offshore fisheries for food, jobs and revenue. For example, offshore tuna fishing licenses and access fees can account for a large share of government revenues: 63 per cent in Kiribati, 30 per cent in Tuvalu, and 18 per cent in Nauru (Bell et al. 2015). But growing populations and demand for seafood are resulting in unsustainable catch rates and ecosystem degradation. A sustainable blue economy will need better fisheries management that is integrated with other production sectors, and alternative economic activities that reduce ecosystem pressures. This In Brief considers pressure points and policy pathways to achieve better development outcomes.