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Blue economy: Lessons and case studies on sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and coastal resilience
This technical brief brings together lessons from IFAD-supported projects in fisheries, aquaculture and coastal livelihoods across Asia and the Pacific, and highlights the importance of the Blue Economy for rural development, resilience and food security. Across the region, millions of rural people depend on oceans, rivers and wetlands for their livelihoods, while at the same time facing increasing climate risks, environmental degradation and pressure on natural resources.
Building on IFAD’s experience in supporting aquatic resources and coastal communities, the brief looks at how different projects have combined ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient infrastructure, community-based management, and value-chain development to strengthen both incomes and sustainability. These experiences show that fisheries and aquaculture are not stand-alone activities, but part of broader rural development efforts that link natural resource management, market access, finance and local institutions.
Case studies from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and the Philippines illustrate how integrated approaches can lead to concrete results, including higher productivity, more stable incomes and improved food security, while also protecting fragile coastal and wetland ecosystems. They also highlight the importance of clear governance arrangements, long-term community engagement, and targeted support to women and young people to ensure that benefits are shared more widely.
Based on these experiences, the brief outlines practical recommendations for future investments, including the need to better integrate climate resilience and ecosystem management into project design, strengthen local institutions, improve access to finance and markets, and ensure that Blue Economy interventions contribute to both environmental sustainability and inclusive rural transformation.
- Resource type Brief
- OrganisationIFAD
- Year of Publication2026
- RegionAsia
- CountryBangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines
- LanguageEnglish
- Keywords Fisheries