Blue Economy: A New Digital Horizon for SMEs and Freelancers

The Blue Economy refers to political and economic initiatives that advocate for activities to preserve the wealth of seas and oceans. Today, this approach is undoubtedly necessary as maritime environments face serious issues such as plastic pollution, uncontrolled fishing, and temperature variations that endanger biodiversity.

Furthermore, the Blue Economy not only promotes the care of these environments but is also significant due to its impact: it generates approximately €650 billion per year and 4.5 million direct jobs, according to the Blue Economy Report 2023 by the European Commission.

Discover the Three Pillars of the Blue Economy

The activities encompassed by the Blue Economy are diverse, operating based on three interconnected pillars:

1. Marine Sustainability: promoting the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources through responsible management of marine ecosystems and biodiversity protection.

2. Innovation and Technology: fostering the innovation of new products to exploit marine resources with respect for the environment.

3. Marine Services Economy: creating new services derived from oceans and coasts.

Based on these three pillars, there are numerous opportunities for SMEs and freelancers. Additionally, these principles align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the social relevance of small businesses focusing on the Blue Economy.

Which Sectors Does It Encompass?

Considering that over 70% of the planet's surface is occupied by seas and oceans, the Blue Economy covers a broad range of sectors, providing growth opportunities for SMEs and freelancers involved in areas such as:

• Coastal Tourism: offering sustainable tourism services like whale watching excursions, sailing trips, and eco-friendly accommodations.

• Food: cultivation and commercialization of seaweed, a nutrient-rich and low-fat food that aligns with the current trend of a healthy lifestyle.

• Sustainable Aquaculture: ecologically friendly breeding of fish and seafood without harming marine ecosystems.

• Ocean Energy: generating green energy from currents and waves, providing investment and innovation opportunities.

• Marine Waste Management: beach cleaning, marine waste collection, and the promotion of sustainable recycling practices.

• Maritime Transport and Logistics: everything related to the mobility of people and products in ports, ships, or freighters.

Digitalization and the Blue Economy

Digitalization is an essential enabler for success in the Blue Economy, as technological advances are crucial for the development of these innovative business initiatives. Here are some reasons:

• Efficiency and Management: Digital tools optimize efficiency in sectors such as fishing, aquaculture, and maritime logistics. Efficient resource management and cost reduction are key to the success of maritime logistics, supply chain improvement, and monitoring maritime transport, benefiting small transport and export-import businesses.

• Technological Innovation: The Blue Economy requires constant innovation, and digitalization facilitates research and development of new technologies. This is evident in the control of ocean energy facilities or data analysis, offering opportunities for SMEs and freelancers to contribute their expertise by developing advanced technological solutions such as autonomous underwater vehicles, marine monitoring sensors, or improved navigation systems.

• Monitoring and Conservation: Digitalization allows real-time monitoring of ocean health and marine biodiversity, crucial for sustainable resource management and ecosystem conservation. Therefore, digitalization is necessary for logically managing aquaculture systems, monitoring water quality, and optimizing production.

• Customer Experience: In both coastal tourism and logistics, digitalization enables a more personalized experience, from online reservations and promotion of tourism services to tracking transoceanic shipments.

In conclusion, the Blue Economy presents exciting opportunities for SMEs and freelancers across various sectors. Digitalization is essential to maximize these opportunities and ensure a sustainable approach to the exploitation of marine and coastal resources. In this way, the Blue Economy and digitalization go hand in hand, opening a new digital horizon for entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in the marine world, contribute their skills to improve environments, and ensure a healthy future for seas and oceans.