The Xunta has decided to approve the Blue Economy Strategy of Galicia 2024-2027. More than 114 million euros have been allocated for this, which will allow the 40 proposed measures linked to the blue economy are carried out.
The president of the Xunta, Alfonso Rueda, announced that the Council today gave its approval to the «Galician Blue Economy Strategywhich will mobilize more than 114 million euros until 2027.” It will be the roadmap with which the regional government seeks to position Galicia as a reference in this area to “combine the protection of the marine environment and economic activity.”
Decided commitment to the blue economy
The new Strategy is a fundamental document given the close connection of the community with the sea and its economic potential linked to marine resources. Galicia, “which is the community with the most kilometers of coastline,” Rueda highlighted, has important ports and a strong fishing tradition that supports an important part of the economy of the territory.
The purpose of the strategy is respond to challenges such as climate changethe overexploitation of aquatic resources and the need to diversify the productive fabric, combining sustainability and economic growth.
The strategy was developed through a live and participatory process in which 11 working groups composed of representatives of the community’s blue economy activities were formed. Thus, they celebrated 11 sector workshops with 123 participants that allowed us to validate the diagnosis of the EAG and identify the strategic challenges.
In addition, two multisectoral conferences were held with 76 participants to reach a consensus on the set of measures included in the document. The result was 40 measures that together will involve mobilization of more than 114 million euros.
Among the objectives is to position the emerging sectors linked to this field as international references and guarantee the sustainability and circularity of fishingshellfish harvesting and aquaculture as nuclear activities.
It also seeks to integrate the different activities that make up the blue economy through innovation connectors, reinforcing governance, promoting blue R&D+ and promoting the development and retention of specialized talent. «A seafaring land like Galicia has to be leader in an emerging international sector such as the blue economy«, indicated Rueda.
The strategy promoted by the Galician Government structures the measures around 6 axes: intersectoral cooperation, innovation connectors, competitiveness, marine heritagework and talent, as well as information and communication.
Among the actions included are the creation of a network that integrates the different agents of the blue economy of Galicia, the promotion of synergies between the biotechnology and aquaculture sectors, a Galician blue R+D+i catalogthe creation of a networked blue biotechnology center or the creation of a unit specialized in this field in the Galicia Empresa office.
The document constitutes the authentic roadmap of the Xunta to protect and restore marine ecosystems and take advantage of aquatic resources in an innovative way, guaranteeing long-term economic development.
In addition, and in parallel, it will serve to provide a better quality of life for Galician society through sustainable food production, the enhancement of seafaring culture, quality employment and sustainable transport.
According to Rueda, the objective is for “Galicia to be leading” in all those sectors linked to the blue economywhile seeking to protect marine ecosystems and make appropriate use of Galician resources, which guarantee long-term economic development.