Article co-authored by Environmental Studies assistant lecturer published in leading ocean policy journal

New UNE faculty member Marcia Moreno-Baez, Ph.D., adjunct assistant lecturer in the Department of Environmental Studies, co-authored an article recently published in Marine Policy, a leading journal of ocean policy studies.

In the article, "Social equity and benefits as the nexus of a transformative Blue Economy: A sectoral review of implications," Moreno-Baez and a team of researchers reviewed what an equity-focused "blue economy" means in marine sectors.

The "blue economy" is an emerging concept that refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth. It encourages better stewardship of the ocean. 

The researchers looked into existing guidelines that may be used for incorporating social benefits and equity alongside environmental and economic concerns in planning processes.

This integration of social dimensions within the blue economy is designed to underscore their importance and ensure that marine economic sectors contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

To achieve this, it is important that underlying governance contexts support improved inclusion, recognition and equitable outcomes in marine planning.

The authors found there is a clear need and opportunity for the blue economy to represent a truly novel development framework and avoid a rebranding of business-as-usual marine operations that continue to harm marine ecosystems and human communities around the world.