Some of the most strategically important marine waterways and oceans in the world surround the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, ranging from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea coastlines. They have historically positioned the area as being essential to trade and tourism, in addition to providing an abundance of marine treasures and several chances for ecotourism, renewable marine energy, and sustainable fishing.
As “the new economic frontier,” the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development appropriately describes the blue economy, or the economic activity related to the oceans and seas, and projects that it will reach USD 3 trillion by 2030, nearly double its current worth.
Many of the intricate problems that the blue economy is currently confronting in the MENA area are still unresolved. According to United Nations research, the world’s oceans have already absorbed an astounding 90% of the heat from carbon dioxide emissions. Stressors caused by climate change are already having many dangerous repercussions.
Rising sea levels, warmer seas, and more coastline erosion are the results, and these factors have an impact on fisheries and biodiversity. In addition, the rising temperatures are having several yet-unseen effects, such as ice melting, marine heat waves, and ocean acidification.
The degradation of mangroves and coral reefs, overfishing, and plastic pollution are some of the other problems that are causing the oceans and coastal waterways to worsen. It is challenging to carry out coordinated marine management initiatives across borders in the region due to geopolitical tensions resulting from recent conflicts.
But it’s important to look more closely at how several MENA nations are utilising a variety of creative and sustainable strategies to steer their blue economies in the right direction.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has demonstrated its dedication to innovation in the field of marine research and development. Several innovative research centres, such as the Sheikh Khalifa Marine Research Centre, the Institute for Oceans at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and the Burt Marine Biology Lab at NYU Abu Dhabi, have produced ground-breaking solutions. Together, they are collaborating with numerous local, regional, and international stakeholders to promote marine science in the area.
Another noteworthy example is that the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, using its maritime research vessel, Jaywun, in 2023 performed its first atmospheric research voyage in the Arabian Gulf. This mission was the first in history to undertake atmospheric research over a 10,000-kilometre route that crossed 25 countries and eight seas, from Spain to Abu Dhabi.
Due to their enormous investments and effects, several megaprojects in Saudi Arabia are grabbing attention. These projects are opening up new avenues for marine conservation, sustainable fishing, and marine tourism. The Red Sea Project, which includes a posh tourist destination that guarantees environmental sustainability and the preservation of the marine ecosystem, is one of the Kingdom’s largest development initiatives.
At 6,660 square kilometres, Saudi Arabia is also home to the eighth-largest coral reef community in the world. The government unveiled the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Coral Restoration Initiative earlier this year, which is the largest coral restoration initiative in the world. In the northwest of the nation, on the shore of NEOM, it has already developed a nursery. The Kingdom is also home to 204 square kilometres of lush mangrove forests. Red Sea Global has started a mangrove nursery project to plant 50 million trees by 2030 to protect this natural gem.
The remarkable Coral Reefs Garden (Tharwa) coral rehabilitation project in Oman is in progress somewhere else. Its goal is to repair damaged coral reefs, which are essential to the survival of marine life and coastal defence. To effectively manage its fisheries and preserve marine biodiversity, Morocco has also created marine protected zones. This ensures the long-term sustainability of its fisheries.
The governments of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) must radically alter many of their legislative and regulatory frameworks to fully realise the enormous potential of the blue economy. They must also demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting the region’s distinctive natural environment.
There is a wide range of options that address various facets of the blue economy. Starting a thorough marine spatial planning project is essential to accurately mapping marine resources and clusters while striking a balance between conservation and economic objectives.
Investing strategically in cutting-edge monitoring technologies that track marine resources and ecosystem health at all times to support industry foresight, policymaking, and regulation setting should go hand in hand with this. This commitment must prioritise conservation activities, which include identifying marine protected areas, reducing pollution, implementing rehabilitation plans, and using green shipping technologies with fewer harmful emissions.
Since coastal tourism is a major industry in many MENA nations, it’s critical to encourage companies to use sustainable methods and technology to protect marine resources and promote ecotourism. To prevent overfishing and guarantee the long-term sustainability of fish stocks, laws and legislation promoting sustainable fishing techniques are also essential, particularly in light of the consequences of climate change.
In this sense, aquaculture initiatives are bolstering fishery stocks in numerous nations impacted by climate change. It is also essential to take into account the preservation of marine biodiversity. The creation of a capable workforce with specialised knowledge in managing a range of blue economy initiatives, such as the administration of special projects, research and monitoring, and marine technology management, will be crucial.
Combining the efforts of many subject matter experts on blue economy projects will optimise the ideation of workable solutions through collaboration with regional and international actors, the commercial sector, and academic institutions. To develop ground-breaking solutions, collaboration on feasible marine research initiatives and technological advancements will be crucial.
The blue economy gives MENA nations a way to utilise their abundant marine resources in a way that supports economic growth and environmental preservation as the world’s attention turns to sustainable development.