A vision for the blue bioeconomy

If we think about 2030 or 2050, what will our relationship with the sea and lake look like then? During a workshop, we developed a vision for the blue bioeconomy in Västra Götaland.

Creating a blue vision for the development of the blue bioeconomy in Västra Götaland was the focus of a workshop organized by the Blue Bio Clusters project at Rena hav in early September. All participants represented some part of the blue bioeconomy that is now emerging. They came from business, research, innovation support and industry organizations. Inspired by futurist Andrew Merrie from Stockholm Resilience Center and supported by meeting planner Kristian Rönne, the group worked out different future scenarios where some of the main features were:

• The ocean matters - the new 'oil' is in the water
• Sustainable and circular use of marine resources is a profitable necessity
• Symbiosis solutions are a given in business, as is offshore production
• We have vibrant coastal communities
• We consume a variety of sustainable, nutritious forms of seafood that are good for the planet
• Self-reliance and local economies are the new norm
• Västra Götaland is the obvious place to start and run a sustainable business in the blue sector
• We have clearer ocean governance that strengthens sustainable industries

The vision is a first step in a larger effort to identify innovations and developments needed to achieve the future scenarios outlined during the day.