The Lillgrund offshore wind farm in Sweden. Photo credit: Tomasz Sienicki.
The European Commission recently adopted a new Action Plan for Innovation in the ‘Blue Economy’ that will focus on using ocean resources in a sustainable manner while driving growth and jobs in Europe.
The Commission identified a number of issues to tackle, including improving knowledge of the sea, coordinating research efforts between Member States, and encouraging more engineers and scientists to focus their work on the marine environment.
The Action Plan includes five primary areas of focus:
- Renewable energy – wind, waves, tides and biofuel
- Biotechnology – medicines and industrial enzymes
- Coastal and Maritime Tourism – cruise tourism and yachting
- Aquaculture – sustainable fish, shellfish and marine plant farming
- Mineral Resources – gravel, zinc, sand, cobalt and copper
The blue economy has the potential to feed our growing population, create more jobs, and further economic growth, and the new Action Plan will ensure that these needs are met in a responsible manner.
To learn more:
- Check out this great series of infographics: Blue Growth
- Read the full news release: European Commission sets out plan to stimulate innovation in the “blue economy”
Copyright © 2014 by Marine Science Today, a publication of Marine Science Today LLC.
