By : Nana Gunawan )*
The concept of a blue economy has four principles of utilization, namely resource efficiency, social inclusion, social equality and employment opportunities for the poor, as well as innovation and adaptation with multiplier economic effects. In the process, all these components must be utilized as best as possible so that no part is wasted or achieve zero waste, in this way the economy can be said to increase the stability of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN).
The blue economy itself is an innovative approach to utilizing sustainable marine resources to support economic growth and improve community welfare. The blue economy sector includes various important sectors, including fisheries, renewable energy, tourism, water transportation, waste management and climate change mitigation. All of these sectors have important potential as sources of sustainable economic growth. In this way, it is hoped that it can create sustainable economic growth at the regional and national levels, increase labor absorption, increase the country’s foreign exchange and increase state tax revenues.
Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH. Ma’ruf Amin has attempted to encourage the development of sustainable fisheries cultivation based on a blue economy to support meeting global food needs. KH. Ma’ruf Amin said that the Asia-Pacific region has marine biodiversity which has the potential to meet food needs and contribute five percent of the global economy. According to him, this makes the Asia-Pacific region not only a market but also a global fisheries producer because Indonesia’s marine wealth can be used as an opportunity to improve the national economy.
Furthermore, to realize sustainable cultivation based on the blue economy, Ma’ruf Amin said that it must be followed by technological innovation, strengthening research and technological engineering, and exchanging information, as well as sharing the results of research and innovation. He also added that to optimize this potential, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation between Asia-Pacific countries.
On the same occasion, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, said that in developing aquaculture, it is important to pay attention to ecological aspects so as not to damage the ecosystem. Apart from that, there is a need to encourage various technological innovations in developing aquaculture so that it is independent and sustainable.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan emphasized the importance of a blue economy approach in exploring marine resources to ensure their sustainability. According to him, the ocean is not just a vast expanse of water, but is a source of life. Because not only does it regulate the climate, the ocean also provides food and has enormous economic potential.
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the blue economy is currently focused on the sustainable use of maritime resources for economic growth, creating jobs and the health of marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, the blue economy approach is contributed by the use of new, renewable energy and tourism because it creates jobs and economic growth. Then, the fisheries sector has contributed more than 270 billion US dollars per year to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
If this continues sustainably, the fisheries sector will provide more space for fisheries resources in the future. Furthermore, waste management is also part of the blue economy which can accelerate the improvement of marine health by being disciplined by the whole community in managing waste and the Government continues to encourage efforts to process waste into energy or other forms so that waste entering the sea can be reduced.
Then, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that Indonesia has 17,508 islands with an estimated population of 281.6 million people. These marine resources are estimated to contain 8,500 biodiversity, the potential for sustainable fisheries production reaches 12 million tons per year and the potential for fisheries production reaches more than 50 million tons per year. These achievements do not include the potential for new renewable energy, blue carbon, and the existence of Indonesian waters for global trade, because it is estimated that 45 percent of world trade passes through Indonesian waters.
By becoming an archipelagic country that has the second longest coastline in the world, the blue economy has become a new economic growth engine for Indonesia. In the Blue Economy Roadmap, Indonesia is committed to increasing the contribution of the maritime sector to Indonesia’s GDP to 15 percent by 2045. Indonesia also continues to strive to develop transformative technology and sustainable practices to ensure that the benefits of the blue economy can be enjoyed by all levels of society. Coastal communities currently face greater vulnerability to the impacts of climate change including rising sea levels, which reinforces the urgency for innovative solutions. Therefore, the Government will work together and develop relevant partners to encourage the blue economy and ensure fair and sustainable prosperity. Blue economy innovations are also prioritized for shared prosperity in order to advance inclusive economic development.
The blue economy is expected to be able to advance shared prosperity and prosperity through various innovations, of course by emphasizing three main aspects in achieving the blue economy goal, namely national and global governance, multi-party understanding and agreement regarding the blue economy program, as well as government and private investment in develop the program. With commitment and cooperation from all parties, Indonesia can realize a sustainable blue economy that provides significant benefits for national economic development and growth.
)* The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Institute for Strategic Information Studies
