REFRAMING BLUE GROWTH VERSUS BLUE EQUITY A LITERATURE SYNTHESIS, COMPARATIVE CASE ANALYSIS & POLICY FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Expanding use of Ocean space for energy generation, food production, conservation and preservation, transportation, tourism, carbon markets and other economic activities, leading to a growing debate about sustainable blue economy. This paper draws on a qualitative synthesis and comparative analysis of three case studies (offshore wind in the North Sea, marine conservation in Mafia Island, Tanzania, and Locally Managed Marine Areas in Fiji) to critically review the connections between Blue Growth and Blue Equity. Blue Growth is considered as a development approach based on technological innovation, investments, market mechanisms and spatial optimization; while Blue Equity is one that has a focus on recognition, participation, rights, distribution and protection of small-scale and customary users. Ocean based development has been found to create employment, energy, food and investment opportunities, and environmental benefits, but these benefits are not automatically equitable in distribution. There are specific risks when CA is denied for conservation or privatization or when CA is denied as part of a large-scale investment without meaningful participation or benefit sharing. Through the comparative cases it is clear that exclusion does not have to be a side effect of blue development, but rather depends on governance arrangements that create either concentrated or shared costs and benefits. Thus, the paper suggests a concept of an equity-integrated blue development framework that is based on co-management, legalized small scale fishing and customary rights, social impact assessment, participatory marine spatial planning, and community-oriented finance and measurable equity indicators. The paper suggests that the best policy is not to shun economic uses of the ocean, but to reconfigure blue development to ensure that ecological sustainability, economic value creation and social justice are all mutually reinforcing goals.