Blue economy
Blue Economy is sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of marine and coastal ecosystem.
In the 2020-2021 Programme for Government we committed to the development of a blue economy action plan. The plan will launch a programme of collaborative projects across the public sector, Scotland's science base, marine industries and the marine environmental sector.
We published our Blue Economy Vision for Scotland in 2022 which demonstrates how much we value our marine environment and its significance.
This identified the following six outcomes for the Blue Economy:
- Scotland’s marine ecosystems are healthy and functioning
- Scotland’s blue economy is resilient to climate change, contributing to climate mitigation and adaptation
- established and emerging marine sectors are innovative, entrepreneurial, productive and internationally competitive
- Scotland is a global leader in healthy, quality, sustainably harvested and farmed Blue Foods
- thriving, resilient, regenerated, healthy communities have more equal access to the benefits that ocean resources provide
- Scotland is an ocean literate and aware nation
The next step is to develop the programmes and policies to deliver the six outcomes in a blue economy action plan. This plan will harness and bolster Scotland's international profile as a successful, modern and innovative maritime nation.
Read more about this work in the Blue Economy Vision for Scotland.
Action plan
We will set out clear actions to strengthen the resilience of our marine industries ranging from renewable energy to fisheries (and the marine science, research and innovation which underpin them). The actions will support coastal communities, recognising the vital importance to our marine economy of the abundant natural capital in Scotland's seas and rivers. This will include supporting the sustainable growth of aquaculture. Aquaculture provides many jobs in the most remote locations and island communities. It does this by improved regulatory processes, based on the application of available evidence and continued enhancements in the scientific base, to provide more benefit to the communities where aquaculture is based.
Our approach will encompass work across the broad range of marine sectors including:
- seafood
- tourism
- energy
- transport
- science
We will work with stakeholders to strengthen the resilience of our fishing industry and local fishing communities through our Future Fisheries Management Strategy and our Inshore Modernisation Programme. This will include bringing forward firm plans to encourage greater landing of catch into Scottish ports.
The new scheme will therefore require all applicants to demonstrate how their projects would deliver against the blue economy action plan. Your investment will be required to deliver against one or more of the following outcomes:
Overarching/public good
- supporting collaboration, partnerships, knowledge and technical expertise which enable better decision-making, regulation, science and innovation
- enhancing the marine environment, including its quality, reputation and its marine products
- reductions in emissions or removal of waste
Supply chain/marketing
- fairer and greener supply chains
- developing direct selling and new and existing markets which deliver sustainable economic benefits
- matching processing and supply chain capacity with landings and production capacity
Sectoral/community outcomes
- development and delivery of training including safety and sectoral training
- promoting fair work and opportunities for new entrants to the seafood and marine sectors
- improving marine infrastructure
- diversification projects which enhance the marine tourism, marine energy, sea fisheries and/or aquaculture sectors or coastal communities
- improving resilience, including that of communities, supply chains and businesses
More information will be provided when the new scheme is launched