Caring for our blue resources & ecosystems
The natural capital blue outcome focuses on enhancing, restoring, and protecting the ecosystem values and environmental assets that underpin the ASEAN Blue Economy. Protecting and enhancing natural capital is central to the long-term success of the ASEAN Blue Economy. However, several challenges must be addressed to ensure that ecosystems continue to provide the environmental services and economic value upon which the region depends.
Fisheries and aquatic food production are consistently regarded as high priority sectors across the region. Yet a number of challenges threaten the viability and health of the regional fisheries and aquaculture operations at small and industrial scales. Managing IUU fishing and overfishing and enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture operations is critical to ensuring healthy ecosystems and healthy populations within the region.
There is also a growing need for integrated approaches to conservation and pollution management, particularly in transboundary marine areas.
Fragmented efforts across jurisdictions can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for ecosystem-scale impact. Ecosystem-based management and nature-based solutions offer effective pathways to address these challenges holistically. Strengthening understanding of ecosystem values and functions can promote voluntary compliance and community stewardship, reducing dependence on enforcement mechanisms. To effectively address shared challenges such as plastic pollution, habitat degradation, disaster resilience, and biodiversity loss, coordinated action must be adequately resourced and strategically aligned.
Finally, the region must respond urgently to the climate crisis by accelerating the transition of established sectors toward carbon neutrality and circular economy models. This includes reducing emissions from fisheries, shipping, and tourism, while promoting sustainable resource use and waste reduction. Achieving this transition will require not only policy alignment and investment but also innovation and collaboration across multiple stakeholders, sectors and borders.
Opportunities for growth exist in the following priority sectors:
Caring for our blue resources & ecosystems
The natural capital blue outcome focuses on enhancing, restoring, and protecting the ecosystem values and environmental assets that underpin the ASEAN Blue Economy. Protecting and enhancing natural capital is central to the long-term success of the ASEAN Blue Economy. However, several challenges must be addressed to ensure that ecosystems continue to provide the environmental services and economic value upon which the region depends.
Fisheries and aquatic food production are consistently regarded as high priority sectors across the region. Yet a number of challenges threaten the viability and health of the regional fisheries and aquaculture operations at small and industrial scales. Managing IUU fishing and overfishing and enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture operations is critical to ensuring healthy ecosystems and healthy populations within the region.
There is also a growing need for integrated approaches to conservation and pollution management, particularly in transboundary marine areas.
Fragmented efforts across jurisdictions can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for ecosystem-scale impact. Ecosystem-based management and nature-based solutions offer effective pathways to address these challenges holistically. Strengthening understanding of ecosystem values and functions can promote voluntary compliance and community stewardship, reducing dependence on enforcement mechanisms. To effectively address shared challenges such as plastic pollution, habitat degradation, disaster resilience, and biodiversity loss, coordinated action must be adequately resourced and strategically aligned.
Finally, the region must respond urgently to the climate crisis by accelerating the transition of established sectors toward carbon neutrality and circular economy models. This includes reducing emissions from fisheries, shipping, and tourism, while promoting sustainable resource use and waste reduction. Achieving this transition will require not only policy alignment and investment but also innovation and collaboration across multiple stakeholders, sectors and borders.
Opportunities for growth exist in the following priority sectors:
Priority activities & supporting initiatives
Sustainable Blue food production & management
Maintain and restore fish stocks through science-based and ecosystem-based fisheries management, protect critical habitats, and promote sustainable harvest practices. Support the growth of sustainable aquaculture to ensure long-term food security, biodiversity conservation, and resilience of aquatic ecosystems.
Coastal & Riparian Resilience, Recovery & Spatial Planning
Strengthen coastal and riparian resilience through nature-based solutions, coordinated nature restoration and improved marine protection. Enhance water quality management, ecosystem-based management and spatial allocation through integrated tools such as Integrated Coastal Management and Marine Spatial Planning.
Enhanced environmental sustainability for blue economy sectors
Accelerate the transition to low-emission, circular and restorative blue economy operations through targeted investments, technology adoption, and regional standards that are inclusive and realistic.
