The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to harness the full potential of the nation's maritime resources and opportunities to boost the economy. Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, made this announcement at the 2024 World Hydrography Day celebration in Abuja. The Minister commended the Nigerian Navy for its role in developing Nigeria's hydrographic capability and ensuring the safety of navigation. He emphasized the importance of hydrographic information for enhancing maritime safety and promoting environmental sustainability. The Minister also highlighted the economic benefits of optimizing shipping routes and improving port management. The Federal Government will continue to invest in the development of Nigeria's national hydrographic capacity. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, called on African leaders to invest in hydrographic information and emphasized the importance of hydrography in propelling African nations out of poverty. The Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Ayodeji Olugbode, highlighted Nigeria's progress in hydrography and the launch of a revised national charting scheme, a catalogue of Nigerian charts, and a chart of the approaches to Lagos harbor. Capacity building and the use of advanced technologies will continue to drive Nigeria's efforts in hydrography [2c75a97f].
Nigeria's Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was recently established to promote the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem. In an article by Greg Odogwu, the importance of setting an agenda for this ministry is discussed. The author emphasizes the need for expert input in shaping the agenda and highlights the suggestions of Michael Amuzie, a Nigerian engineer. Amuzie proposes the establishment of a Nigeria Coast Guard to enhance maritime law enforcement and perform other tasks related to the blue economy. The article also suggests the development of more classification societies, improvements to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the strengthening of support services for the blue economy infrastructure. Additionally, the execution of heavy infrastructure projects to diversify the transport sector is recommended. The author underscores the importance of aligning administrative and regulatory infrastructure with global best practices and incorporating offshore renewable energy and deep-sea mining into the blue economy value chain. Collaboration across government tiers and sectors is highlighted as crucial for the sustainable management of ocean resources [1a413c03].
Meanwhile, India is set to become the sixth country to have its own deep-sea mission, focusing on a resilient blue economy to empower people dependent on the ocean. The National Institute of Ocean Technology's Matsyayaan 6000 is a key development in this mission. Union earth sciences minister Jitendra Singh expressed pride and happiness on the progress of the deep-sea mission and India being among the very few nations to achieve this feat. The deep-sea mission is not limited to mineral exploration but development of ocean sciences and exploration of flora and fauna and conservation of marine biodiversity. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has developed Matsyayaan 6000, which can dive 6,000 meters deep into the ocean. The first stage of the vessel's harbor trial is expected to be completed by September and the subsequent stages by 2026. The deep-sea mission has the potential to contribute greatly to the overall growth of the Indian economy.
The American marine economy contributed nearly $476 billion to the nation’s GDP in 2022, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) [a5c24c07]. Tourism and recreation were the largest contributors, generating $163 billion, followed by national defense and public administration at $149 billion. Ship and boat building, coastal tourism and recreation, and marine transportation and warehousing saw the most significant growth in 2022. The Marine Economy Satellite Account (MESA) also included data on wind energy and alternative power generation, with wind farm construction alone generating $161 million in sales. The report emphasizes the importance of supporting and bolstering the marine sector for the overall health of the economy and daily life. The full report and data can be accessed on NOAA's Digital Coast website and the BEA Marine Economy website.
Efforts are underway to map the entire seafloor to boost the global economy. Currently, only one-quarter of the global seabed has been mapped, but sonar technology has made seabed mapping more efficient. However, it is still an expensive process, estimated to cost between $3 billion and $5 billion. The economic benefits of having an accurate map of the ocean floor are significant. It would aid transportation, trade, resource extraction, disaster mitigation, tsunami prediction, climate modeling, fishing, and mineral extraction. Accurate maps of the seabed also help keep ships safely moving goods and services around the world. A study commissioned by the Australian government found that seafloor mapping boosted its economy by $9 billion. The U.S. is also interested in mapping its own seabed, as 52% of the country is underwater. The researchers hope to complete the map of the entire seabed by the end of the decade [c34543aa].
The Maldives' blue economy accounts for more than 36% of its GDP. The country's tourism industry relies on thriving island ecosystems and marine life. The Maldives' tuna fishery uses a traditional pole and line technique. Other sectors such as renewable marine energy and marine biotechnology require financing and conducive policies to thrive. The Maldives is committed to developing renewable energy systems and implementing effective waste management solutions. The country hosted the first Asia-Pacific Blue Economy Forum to address common challenges in the blue economy. Investments need to reach micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to unlock the full potential of the ocean's resources. The Maldives has innovative MSMEs in the education, sea transport, and fintech sectors. The SIDS need national and global partners to act now to unlock their blue economy and development potential. The universal acceptance of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index could facilitate access to financing. The blue economy is as important globally as it is for SIDS. The Maldives has a profound connection to and dependence on nature. [85fbc41d]