Blue Economy, Inclusive Industrialization and Economic Development in Southern Africa

Oceans and seas cover 72 per cent of the surface of planet Earth and are home to 95 per cent of the Earth’s living organisms. The world’s oceans are essential to life on the planet, provide the largest source of oxygen and protein, absorb around a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions, recycle nutrients and play a significant role in the regulation of global climate and temperature. Globally, over 3.1 billion of the world’s population live within 100 km of the ocean or sea in about 150 coastal and island States (FAO, 2018).