Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

Amsterdam could ban cruise ships to tackle overtourism. What are other holiday destinations doing?

• Gabi Thesing, World Economic Forum • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports • Tourism

Amsterdam is the latest tourist destination to consider banning cruise ships in a fight against overtourism and pollution.

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World Bank Predicts $11.8 Billion Growth In Novel Seaweed Markets

• The Fish Site • Fisheries & Aquaculture

A new World Bank report estimates that ten emerging global seaweed markets have the potential to grow by up to $11.8 billion by 2030.

 

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A Global Maritime Innovation Hub Coming To Seattle Aims To Spur Entrepreneurship And Create Jobs

• Lisa Stiffler, GeekWire • Energy Solutions

Leaders in Washington aim to expand its maritime industry overall, while angling to make the state a leader in climate-friendly marine innovation.

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Gabon Joins Blue Bond Wave With $500 Million Debt Refinancing

• Will Horner, Wall Street Journal

Under the deal, the central African nation has earmarked $163 million in savings for marine conservation.

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Aquaculture prioritised in NOAA’s inaugural National Seafood Strategy

• The Fish Site • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Increasing domestic aquaculture production is identified as a top priority of NOAA Fisheries’ first-ever National Seafood Strategy, which has been published this week.

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Ten Ways to Unlock an Ocean of Opportunity

• Nature Conservancy • Fisheries & Aquaculture

The global sea surface temperature has hit a new record, only around 8% of the ocean is legally protected, and about a third of the world’s monitored fisheries are overfished. But, there are solutions for ocean health, marine life and climate adaptation.

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G20 Ministers Recommit to Paris Agreement, Agree on Blue Economy Principles

• SDG Knowledge Hub, IISD

In an outcome document, the ministers express their determination to avoid siloed actions to address environmental crises and challenges and “acknowledge the urgent need to strengthen policies and mobilize financing”.

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Deep-sea mining – into the unknown

• Ocean 14 Capital

Scientists caution against rush to mine the seabed, and say it could be decades before the full impact on marine life is known.

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The ocean’s dire message

• David Gelles & Manuela Andreoni, The New York Times

Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, and yet the vast majority have not been mapped or explored. But there are two things we can say with certainty: Oceans are the hottest they have been in recorded history, by a wide margin. And man-made climate change is to blame.

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3 ways hotels and tourists can work together to decarbonize travel

• Peter Lochbihler, World Economic Forum • Tourism

The hospitality industry has an unmatched opportunity to lead decarbonization in the travel and tourism sector.

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Overtourism: coastal management key as global traveller numbers return to pre-pandemic levels

• Economic Impact • Tourism

More people are travelling, and many are visiting the same locations. The UN World Tourism Organisation says the travel industry has been caught unprepared as millions flock to hotspots.

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Philippe Cousteau, Jr.’s EarthEcho International Collaborates with Youth of Color to Build Careers in the Blue Economy

• Earth Echo • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Through an ongoing, eight-week virtual program, and an in-person convening in San Diego, CA, this August, the paid ResilienSEA Externship provides participants with an opportunity to learn from and network with professionals in the field of regenerative ocean aquaculture and seaweed innovation, participate in a hands-on job shadowing experience.

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Aquaculture tourism: An unexpected synergy for the blue economy

• Bonnie Waycott, Global Seafood Alliance • Tourism

Efforts are underway in Greece to diversify and promote aquaculture tourism to educate and shift public perceptions of fish farms

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One Ocean, One Blue Economy With Maritime Blue Coalition

• Ryan Buscaglia, Federation of American Scientists • Energy Solutions

What do Norway and the state of Washington have in common? They're both driving maritime and blue economy innovation towards a cleaner future.

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Blue Bonds: An Audacious Plan to Save the World’s Ocean

• The Nature Conservancy

TNC’s Blue Bonds for Conservation model helps governments unlock funding for conservation—and could benefit millions of people in coastal regions.

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Artificial Reefs Improve Productivity of Seagrass Meadows and Could Help Protect Against Climate Change, Study Finds

• Cristen Hemingway Jaynes, Ecowatch • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Seagrass meadows are found all over the planet, from the Arctic circle to the tropics, and are vitally important as habitats for fish and for absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

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California regulators provide over $17 mil in offshore wind research grant funds

• Kassia Micek, S&P Global • Energy Solutions

California projects will advance new designs and technology, specifically for the deep waters, weather, and seismicity in California wind energy areas.

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The Startup That Plans To Scale-up Land-based Artemia Production

• Rob Fletcher, Fish Site • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Aquanzo, a startup that plans to farm Artemia in land-based systems for the aquafeed market, recently raised £1.2 million to help them to upscale their production.

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Bridging The Ocean Finance Gap

• Markus Müller, World Ocean Initiative • Energy Solutions

A guest blog by Markus Müller, chief investment officer ESG and global head of the Chief Investment Office, Deutsche Bank - Private Bank

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Corporate Climate Commitments Miss on Plastics, Ocean Group Says

• Christine Zhu, Bloomberg Law • Plastics & Pollution

More companies and investors need to consider plastics in their climate commitments, according to a report released last week by environmental advocacy group Ocean Conservancy.

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