Seeking balance and sustainability

Carl-Christian Schmidt

A better appreciation of the contributions of the ocean economy is warranted. This implies further analysis and assessment, and in particular gathering data on our on-going and potential future ocean activities.

Combined with further efforts to enhance international cooperation in the use of our ocean resources, maritime science and technology will be central to ensuring sustainable (blue) growth in the maritime sector.

In this respect, collaborative efforts between the private and public sectors are needed. The forum provides a platform for private and public interests to gather, discuss and lay out a route to further substantiate cooperation in the use of our ocean resources. It could also be a means to identify ways to garner support for ocean industry foresight.

Marine fisheries are generally over or fully exploited, and new fisheries management models are often needed. Hence, Shenzhen may have an opportunity to further discussions on how to better manage fisheries (and aquaculture) resources to cement the sector’s contributions to a blue ocean economy.

(Carl-Christian Schmidt, Chair of Nordic Marine Think Tank, Denmark)