Europe’s blue economy provides 4.5 million direct jobs, many in regions where there are few alternatives. It encompasses all industries and sectors related to oceans, seas and coasts, whether they are based in the marine environment (e.g. shipping, fisheries, energy generation) or on land (e.g. ports, shipyards, land-based aquaculture and algae production, coastal tourism). It is a broad, fast-moving segment of the European economy, which over the past decade has taken significant steps to modernise and diversify. Alongside traditional sectors, innovative sectors are evolving and growing, such as ocean renewable energy, the blue bio-economy, bio-technology and desalination, thus providing new prospects and creating jobs.

By using marine resources better and by choosing alternative sources of food and feed, the blue economy can help alleviate pressure on our climate and on natural resources for food production.

This Communication puts forward the Commission’s proposals for a maritime policy for this decade, to make the transition envisioned in the European Green Deal a reality in the ocean economy. The forthcoming Mission Ocean, Seas and Waters will complement this agenda.