StCongreSS, Blue Economy Conference,
OBSERVATORY FOR SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY:
Challenges and Perspectives in the Blue Economy, May 8, 2024, Split, Croatia
On 8 May, the OBSERVATORY FOR SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY organised the Blue Economy Conference: Challenges and perspectives of the Blue Economy in Croatia at the University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, as part of StCongreSS.
The conference was organised in two sessions. The first session included an OSBE Panel Discussion (14:00 – 15:30), while the second session included student presentations (15:45 – 17:00).
The OSBE Panel Discussion was moderated by Associate Professor Eli Marušić (University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, OSBE member), assisted by Erasmus student Jessie Schroder (University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies & Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism).
The Panel included short presentations on various topics of the Blue Economy:
- Definition and activities of the blue economy – the role of ecosystem service values, presented by Assistant Professor Slađana Pavlinović Mršić (University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, OSBE Member);
- SWOT analysis for identifying sustainable development strategies in the coastal area, presented by Assistant Professor Frano Matić (University of Split, University Department of Marine Studies, OSBE Member)
- Marine living resources – fisheries and aquaculture in Croatia, presented by Full Professor Gorana Jelić Mrčelić (University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, OSBE Member)
- Mapping in the Blue Economy – Project OTIMED, presented by mag. oec. Petar Roje (University of Split, Science and Innovation Department, OSBE Member)
- Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) Perspectives in the Blue Economy, presented by Full Professor Marija Boban (University of Split, Faculty of Law)
- Blue economy knowledge management systems, presented by Full Professor Daniela Garbin Praničević (University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, OSBE Member).
After the presentations, an interesting discussion was opened where the audience and panellists could ask questions and participate in the discussion.
Moderator Prof Marušić asked Prof Boban if the social institutions were addressed and Prof Boban emphasised that it is important to include all stakeholders and that we all need to rethink ourselves as individuals and as a society.
Prof Garbin Praničević explained the challenges of collecting data based on big data and emphasised that technology is useless without people and that we need IT skills, but marine literacy is also important.
Prof Marušić wanted to know what are the main weaknesses and strengths of the Blue Economy and Prof Matić answered that the main strength is that many scientists are involved and also generate knowledge and the main problem is the lack of vertical and horizontal communication. Therefore, networking is a key issue
Ms Vania Tabone (University of Malta) noted that the economy is made of money and business and sometimes overrides nature. However, the EU should pursue an integrated policy for all members and follow the good examples of some member states.
Prof Marušić added that it is not only about natural resources, but also about human resources.
Prof Marušić raised the question of pillars other than social and environmental ones. Prof Pavlinović Mršić emphasised the importance of the economic, social and environmental pillars, but also added that culture, information, knowledge management and research play an important role in the sustainable development of the Blue Economy. She also pointed out the importance of integrating different approaches and sectors to solve problems through innovative solutions. Small steps, such as the boycott of plastic water bottles at the university, are a good start.
Prof Marušić asked what the future of global fisheries looks like and what the position of Croatian fisheries is. Prof Jelić Mrčelić replied that the future of fisheries could lie in fishing down the food web. As commercial fisheries tend to deplete stocks (sea cucumbers in Croatia), the future could lie in rearing species at low trophic levels (such as sea lettuce).
And what about zero waste in fish production? Prof Marušić would like to know. Mag. oec. Roje replied that the Norwegian company NUAS Technology has shown interest in cooperating with Dalmatian companies to solve the problem of fish waste. Focus group – the key players need comprehensive knowledge about the Blue Economy sector and we need to be sure that we do not overlook the key players for the project.
Here are some of the interesting questions/comments that were asked/given by the audience:
- Kimberly Fenech (University of Malta, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking): What is the impact of pesticides and agribusiness on sustainability and the ecosystem? Is there research on these pollutants or are they neglected in research?
- Vania Tabone (University of Malta):– What are the differences between Blue Economy and Red Economy? Is there a possibility to combine them?
- Tea Knez (University of Split, International Relations Office) explained the importance of regional legal instruments such as the Barcelona Convention for the sustainable use of marine resources using the example of the Baltic States and the problem of agricultural pollution.
In the second session – student presentations, the session was chaired by research and teaching assistant Filipa Marušić (University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism). This session included the following presentations:
- Krešimir Franić (PhD student, University of Split, University Department of Marine Studies): Detection of Adriatic-Ionian Bimodal Oscillating System using Neural Gas
- Iva Tadić (MSc student, University of Split, University Department of Marine Studies): Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Early Developmental Stages of Sardina pilchardus in the Adriatic Sea
- Bepo Goić (MSc student, University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism): The impact of short food supply chains on the sustainability of island tourism from the perspective of hotel companies on the island of Brač
- Wiktor Walczak (PhD Student, Department of International Business, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business): Blue economy in Poland as a perspective for local development