Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

Will 2020 be the year of blue finance?

James Richen, Responsible Investor Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

James Richens, editor of The Economist Group’s World Ocean Initiative, takes stock of Responsible Investor’s survey of investment risks and opportunities in the blue economy.

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Making the Case for Mobile Marine Protected Areas

Ker Than. Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

In 2000, Stanford marine ecologist Larry Crowder read an intriguing scientific paper that introduced the concept of mobile marine protected areas, or mMPAs – ocean sanctuaries whose boundaries can shift in space and time to protect animals that follow changing ocean features like the Gulf Stream. 

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New fish farm near Miami aims to grow major portion of U.S. salmon supply

Paul Brinkmann, U.S. News Fisheries & Aquaculture

A new land-based salmon farm, described by industry groups as among the world's largest, is raising millions of the healthy popular fish in giant warehouses about 30 miles southwest of Miami.

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Can algae save the planet by changing the way we eat?

Alexandra Ossola, Quartz Fisheries & Aquaculture

If you’ve only heard about the negative aspects of algae, like how its blooms clog waterways and kill off species, you’re missing half the story. Now scientists and engineers are discovering new ways to harness algae’s unique qualities.

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How 2020 can be the year to build a truly “blue” economy

Martin Koehring, The Economist Group- World Ocean Initiative Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports

Safeguarding and harnessing the ocean’s ability to provide for people and the planet is crucial for sustainable development, says Martin Koehring, head of the World Ocean Initiative.

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How to have your fish and eat it

World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group Fisheries & Aquaculture

The first blue paper commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy finds that, if mariculture is better managed, the world can both produce more food, and do so profitably.

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220-lb. 'Litter Ball' Found Inside a Dead Sperm Whale's Belly

Mindy Weisberger Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

When workers with a whale strandings agency in Scotland performed a necropsy on a recently beached sperm whale, they found a gruesome surprise: The animal had died with around 220 lbs. (100 kilograms) of trash in its stomach.

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5 Ways Harmful Fisheries Subsidies Impact Coastal Communities

Michael Crispino Fisheries & Aquaculture

Our planet’s health—and our own well-being—is dependent on a vibrant ocean rich with natural resources. Oceans provide but must also thrive. Sustainable fishing can be an effective way to balance the needs of people and nature by protecting complex, interconnected ecosystems while providing food security and livelihoods for coastal communities.

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'Zombie in the Water’: New Greenpeace Report Warns of Deadly Ghost Fishing Gear

Olivia Rosane Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

Discarded plastic fishing equipment, dubbed "ghost gear," is especially dangerous to marine life because it was designed to trap and kill it.

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New Report from Security Think Tank Calls For Greater Transparency in Global Fishing

Our Daily Planet Fisheries & Aquaculture

A new report from the Stimson Center, a global security think tank concludes that globally the fishing industry — particularly fishing vessels that ply waters far from their home (“the distant water fleet”) — is unsustainable and the only way to reign it in is through much greater transparency so that these vessels’ movements and catches can be more closely monitored by governments and NGOs.

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China approves seaweed-based Alzheimer's drug. It's the first new one in 17 years

By Julie Zaugg and Jared Peng, CNN Fisheries & Aquaculture

Authorities in China have approved a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the first new medicine with the potential to treat the cognitive disorder in 17 years. The seaweed-based drug, called Oligomannate, can be used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's, according to a statement from China's drug safety agency.

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5 Ways Sustainable Seafood Can Benefit People and the Environment

Emily Petsko, Oceana Fisheries & Aquaculture

Oceana works to save the oceans and feed the world, and we can't do that without sustainable seafood. We help our oceans thrive by promoting fishery policies that follow science-based quotas, reduce bycatch, put an end to overfishing and protect fragile habitats. These tactics not only help marine life flourish — a win in its own right — but also ensure that our oceans can continue to nourish the people who need it most.

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New report shows increasing momentum behind sustainable seafood

Marine Stewardship Council Fisheries & Aquaculture

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), responsible for the world’s leading sustainable seafood ecolabel and certification programme, has today published a report showing continued growth in the demand for and supply of sustainable seafood.

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Algae might be a secret weapon to combatting climate change

Ben Lamm, Founder, Hypergiant Fisheries & Aquaculture

While the Amazon plays a vital role in global carbon absorption (and we should continue to try and save it), between 1994 and 2007, our oceans absorbed 34 gigatons of the world’s carbon through algae, vegetation, and coral. In other words, the trees might not save us—but the oceans could.

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Aquaculture Fund Aims to Cash In on Trend

Dieter Holger, Wall Street Journal Fisheries & Aquaculture

Aquaculture is surfacing as an attractive sector for green investors. The farming of fish, and other waterborne organic protein, such as algae, is becoming increasingly important to the world’s growing population. Aquaculture’s share of global fish consumption climbed to 50% in 2014 from 18% in 1990, and is expected to reach 57% by 2025, according to UBS.

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Seaweed 'forests' can help fight climate change

Todd Woody, National Geographic Fisheries & Aquaculture

Farming seaweed, then sinking the mature plants to the bottom of the ocean, could be an effective way to fight warming. So why don’t we do it?

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Bloom's Mission to Turn Toxic Algae into Shoes

Kelly Bastone, Outside Magazine Fisheries & Aquaculture

Like many Florida waters, Lake Bonnet had become overrun with plant slime. In fact, all 50 states and many countries worldwide are struggling with epidemic levels of algae that can prove toxic to people and ecosystems. “Red tides” of algae along Florida’s Gulf Coast have killed tons of fish and marine mammals.

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Can seaweed help curb global warming?

TED talk by Tim Flannery Fisheries & Aquaculture

It's time for planetary-scale interventions to combat climate change -- and environmentalist Tim Flannery thinks seaweed can help. 

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The Fish Is Boneless. (Fishless, Too.)

David Yaffe-Bellany Fisheries & Aquaculture

First, there was the meatless burger. Soon we may have fishless fish.

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Fish farming could be the center of a future food system

Ben Paynter Fisheries & Aquaculture

The world population is expected to grow by at least 2 billion people between now and 2050. That’s going to take a lot more food, and our appetites are already having planetary consequences: Raising cattle for food is huge source of emissions, and we’ve done enormous damage to ocean ecosystems with our fishing.

Read more → (4 minute read)