The Blue Economy in Portugal represents approximately 4% of the national GDP (2018) and 4.1% of total national employment (2017) (Satellite Account of the Sea, DGPM/INE, November 2020). The most important sectors of activity are maritime tourism, fishing, aquaculture and fish processing, ports, and maritime transport. There are some emerging activities, such as marine biotechnologies and marine renewable energies, with a marginal weight in terms of national GDP and employment.

But things are progressing rapidly. Many collaborative initiatives involving companies and R&D centers, under the dynamism of CoLAB organizations and the Portuguese Maritime Cluster, are driving the Blue Economy in Portugal. Several relevant programs and projects are being prepared in the areas of blue biotechnology, seafood products, and marine renewable energies. A multifunctional testing platform at the Aguçadoura and Viana do Castelo facilities, integrated into the Ocean ACT Initiative, is also a relevant tool to support the development of innovative and ESG-performing solutions in the areas of renewable energy, aquaculture (fish and algae), marine observation, protection of marine ecosystems, among others. Blue Hubs to promote innovative blue ecosystems are spreading across the main ports throughout the country. A Digital Innovation Center (Portugal Blue Digital Hub) was created to boost the digitalization of SMEs operating in the Blue Economy, under the leadership of the Ocean Forum (responsible for managing the Cluster) and the CoLABs, namely B2E, with the support of around 50 organizations.

All these initiatives take into account the global and imperative context of digitalization, decarbonization and circular economy, and have the potential to grow and pave the way for a new paradigm of a Sustainable Blue Economy.

Indeed, Portugal possesses significant natural resources, such as marine bioresources, wind, waves, and ocean currents, which can boost the development of economic activities in these fields. Portugal also possesses knowledge and technology that can support the valorization of these resources, attract FDI, and improve high-value exports and the creation of skilled jobs. The challenge is great; improving these programs and projects is strategic for the growth of the Blue Economy in Portugal, aligning with the National and Regional Innovation Strategies for 2021-27, with the support of European Funds.

Rui Azevedo
Strategic Advisor, Ocean Forum
Director of B2E CoLAB