The future is the blue bioeconomy

The blue bioeconomy is an essential factor in a sustainable future. For those working in the blue bioeconomy, it is obvious that the solutions for the future are biobased, but we are still just scratching the surface of what is possible in the aquatic domain. For the future to be biobased, we need to understand the processes in our aquatic environments and how they will be and already are being impacted by climate change and other stressors.

To strengthen Europe’s position in the blue bioeconomy and ensure sustainable growth, we need to improve the blue bioeconomy value chains. Funded by EU Horizon 2020, ERA-Net Cofund Blue Bioeconomy has for the past four years been working to identify new and improve existing ways of creating value from the blue bioeconomy. e partnership consists of a range of ministries and funding agencies in Europe and has issued calls to underpin the development of new and existing value chains, funding 49 projects for EUR43 million. Many of the projects show promising results in creating high value products from marine resources like sh trimmings, algae extracts, or rearing of species that we have no tradition for in Europe.

1. Blue balance: e blue biosphere must be understood and tipping points for ecosystem services must be identi ed if we are to intensify utilisation of biomass. We must use new technologies to understand the e ects of ecosystem manipulation and land-sea interactions. Nature based solutions must be part of sustainable use.

• Opportunities: Carbon sequestration, nature-based solutions, carbon credits.

To guide future progress, we have developed a strategic research and innovation agenda (SRIA) on the blue bioeconomy. The SRIA can assist all actors in the blue bioeconomy, from businesses to national funding agencies, to work towards a sustainable and circular future. There are six areas with research and innovation needs in the blue bioeconomy that we believe are key to develop. They are the result of an 18-month foresight process, using scenario building and stakeholder engagement from industry, government, civil society, and science.

2. Societal balance: The interplay between the blue bioeconomy and society is essential. Trust, understanding, and social legitimacy are essential to develop effective regulations, management plans and markets.

• Opportunities: Due diligence including social legitimacy, integrating culture and society in business development.

3. Climate change: Climate change will influence aquatic ecosystems. The direct and indirect effects must be understood and modelled, both to manage the socio-ecological system and to adapt and mitigate impacts.

• Opportunities: Climate adaptation, software development for climate modelling.

Social consensus critical to an equitable blue bioeconomy

The findings show that aquatic resources have the potential to be part of the sustainable European future, if we do it right. However, to ensure viable solutions we need further research and innovation in these areas:

4. Technological innovation: ere are numerous possibilities for the blue bioeconomy in technological innovation. Intelligent monitoring systems, genetic engineering, nding alternatives to antimicrobials, recirculating aquaculture systems, carbon capture, improvement of feed and food resources, and ensuring animal health and welfare are all important pieces of the puzzle.

• Opportunities: Multiple e ciency gains and automation possibilities.

5. Value chain development: The production cycle must be closed to truly future proof the blue bioeconomy. We must optimise side-streams, minimise waste, understand the whole value chain ecosystem—both blue and green, and implement full-chain traceability.

• Opportunities: Decreasing cost of waste disposal, regional value chains, increased resilience.

6. Science for society: Research and innovation will have no impact without uptake in society. We must understand how to promote links between science and decision making, improving education, empowering people, building capacity and promoting ocean literacy.

• Opportunities: Policy impact, improved R&D, more impactful products.