Supporting the Blue Economy for Sustainable Development

By: Indriani Nova

The blue economy is an approach to economic development that prioritizes sustainability in the utilization of natural resources, especially those related to marine and aquatic ecosystems. This concept focuses on improving the economic welfare of the community without sacrificing the health of the ecosystem, so that it can provide long-term benefits for future generations.

One of the main reasons for the appreciation of the blue economy program is its ability to create a balance between exploitation and conservation. By prioritizing the principle of sustainability, this program ensures that the utilization of marine resources not only provides short-term benefits, but also maintains the productivity of the ecosystem in the long term.

Professor of Marine Affairs and Fisheries IPB University, Rokhmin Dahuri M.S said the economic potential of the eleven blue economy sectors in Indonesia is around US$1.348 trillion or around 13% of Indonesia’s current GDP. The blue economy provides significant social benefits, especially for coastal communities that depend on marine resources for their livelihoods. Thus, the blue economy not only supports environmental conservation, but also improves the social and economic welfare of communities that depend on marine resources for their livelihoods.

Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PKS Faction, Saadiah Uluputty said that the blue economy is very important as a strategic alternative in building community welfare, especially in the Eastern Indonesia region. According to her, the development of a blue economy based on abundant marine resources is a real solution to address the challenges of community welfare in the eastern part of Indonesia.
The blue economy policy is not only able to increase economic growth, but also contributes to maintaining the sustainability of the environment and maritime ecosystems. Saadiah also invited all parties, including local governments, legislatures, and the community, to jointly fully support this policy, so that the ideals of the welfare of Eastern Indonesia through maritime potential can be realized soon.
In the context of conservation, the blue economy program encourages the establishment of marine protected areas that function as spawning and breeding grounds for various marine species. This protection not only supports the regeneration of fish stocks, but also increases the resilience of the ecosystem to environmental changes. By maintaining biodiversity, marine protected areas also play a role in maintaining the stability of the food chain and the function of the ecosystem as a whole.
The blue economy also includes the development of a marine tourism sector based on the principle of sustainability. Tourism that pays attention to aspects of conservation and local community involvement can provide sustainable economic benefits without damaging the environment. Community-based ecotourism is an example of how blue economy programs can create economic value while supporting the preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems.
In addition to government policies, private sector involvement is also an important element in driving the blue economy. Investments in green technology, sustainable business practices, and partnerships with local communities can create more inclusive and responsible economic models. In many cases, collaboration between the public and private sectors has succeeded in creating innovations that have positive impacts on the environment and the economy at the same time.
Recently, a research collaboration was carried out between the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the European Union, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) which officially began with the signing at the BJ Habibie Building, Jakarta. The Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Denis Chaibi said that maritime research would greatly support the development of the blue economy in Indonesia.

This collaboration supports the Asta Cita program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. The goal is to strengthen sustainable marine management in Indonesia, by covering various activities including training, marine biodiversity research, climate data collection, ecosystem restoration, and reducing environmental footprint. Chaibi added that this program will not only improve the Indonesian economy, but also have a positive impact on coastal communities, who are expected to directly benefit from the marine-based economy.