France,
: A Region Focused on the Blue Economy
France has the world’s second-largest maritime zone, behind that of the United States.
It covers nearly 11 million km² and borders nearly 20,000 km of coastline!
This national maritime zone serves as the cornerstone of France’s blue economy.
Did you know?
The term "blue economy" was first used in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).
Real potential for growth
Although there are several definitions of the blue economy in circulation, they all agree on:
The Blue Economy and the European Union
As a result, the European Union has recorded no fewer than 4.5 million direct jobs and a gross value added of nearly 650 billion euros in annual revenue generated by the blue economy at the European level.
On May 17, 2021, the European Commission proposed a new strategy for a “sustainable blue economy.” The blue economy encompasses all sectors and industries related to the oceans, seas, and coasts, whether they are part of the marine environment (such as maritime transport, fishing, and energy production) or the terrestrial environment (such as ports, shipyards, land-based aquaculture and seaweed production, as well as coastal tourism).
Alongside these so-called “traditional” sectors, innovative sectors such as marine renewable energy, the blue bioeconomy, biotechnology, and desalination are emerging, creating new job opportunities.
Did you know?
In France, according to the 2021 French maritime economic data published by IFREMER, the French blue economy accounts for 1.5% of France’s GDP (more than 40 billion euros in value added) and 525,000 jobs, or 1.8% of all jobs in the country.
The sustainable blue economy
The inclusion of the term “sustainable” in “sustainable blue economy” serves as a reminder that, in addition to its economic growth prospects, priority must be given to environmental issues related to the preservation of coastal and marine biodiversity, without which the sustainability of this economic sector would itself be threatened.
The sustainable blue economy is thus defined as “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and employment, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.”
What about Réunion Island?
The blue economy is a major sector in Réunion, accounting for more than 10,000 jobs in 2018 (3.4% of total employment in Réunion) and generating €485 million in value added, or 2.6% of GDP (INSEE, 2022).
In fact, Réunion has significant advantages that support the growth of a sustainable blue economy, including:
Its island location
Extensive maritime territory (315,058 km² of EEZ—Exclusive Economic Zone)
The availability of high-quality infrastructure
Its geographic location
Supporting and developing the blue economy through the creation of the Blue Institute
Stakeholders in Réunion’s blue economy—including public sector entities, research and innovation organizations, clusters, professional and trade associations, private companies, and others—have decided to enhance and expand their dialogue, discussions, and initiatives regarding this economic potential and the related sustainable development challenges.
In line with the strategies of Réunion, the Indian Ocean, France, and Europe, as well as European and regional plans and programs, these stakeholders therefore decided to come together under a single legal entity, building on existing technical and research infrastructure, in order to: