Sustainable blue economy

Overview

The EU's blue economy is a major driver of economic growth and innovation. It plays a key role in Europe's industrial and security strategies, encompassing traditional sectors like fisheries and shipping, as well as emerging fields such as renewable energy and blue biotechnology.  

It is important to develop this blue economy taking into account the sustainable use of marine resources, social inclusion, and fairness. 

Objectives

As specified in the European Ocean Pact, the EU aims to

• Enhance the competitiveness of the blue economy in the EU and support transitions in both traditional and emerging blue economy sectors.
• Focus on decarbonisation and encourage innovation.
• Support fisheries and aquaculture for food security.
• Strengthen the maritime industrial base and ports for strategic autonomy and security.
• Develop further the blue economy sectors like offshore wind and ocean energy.
• Address the social dimensions of the blue economy, including generational renewal and workforce development.

Actions

Fisheries and aquaculture 

• Propose measures for decarbonisation and modernisation.
• Support small scale fisheries and promote sustainable fishing practices.
• Establish EU initiatives for sustainable aquaculture and algae production.
• Address non-indigenous species and manage predators.
• Evaluation and possible revision of the common fisheries policy.
• Develop a 2040 vision for fisheries and aquaculture.

Maritime industrial base and ports 

• Develop an Industrial Maritime Strategy.
• Adopt a new EU Ports Strategy focusing on decarbonisation, circularity, and innovation. 

Blue economy sectors 

• Invest in grid infrastructure and renewable energy technologies.
• Explore the potential of oceanic genetic resources and metals from sea brines.
• Present an EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy. 

Social dimension 

• Launch a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy for workforce engagement.
• Promote STEM education and support intergenerational knowledge transfer.
• Enhance safety, digitalisation, and modernisation in the fishing sector. 

Documents

Communication on The European Ocean Pact (COM(2025)281)

A new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU - Transforming the EU's Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future