Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Strategic Blue Economy Roadmap approved by Cabinet

Strategic Blue Economy Roadmap approved by Cabinet

The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved The Strategic Blue Economy Roadmap, which was developed with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on November 30, 2022.
The Blue Economy Roadmap sets out an integrated approach to ocean-based sustainable development, which brings together economy, environment and society, consistent with the Sustainable Development Agenda (2030), Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015).

The Blue Economy Roadmap outlines the direction and development pathways for future investment in and development of a sustainable ocean-based economy in the Virgin Islands. Specifically, the roadmap aims to create a revitalisation process that results in healthy ecosystems that are able to sustain growth in a number of economic sectors and provide an opportunity for building equitable societies.

Over time, this revitalisation will support the development of new sectors attracting greater investment and financial support to the blue economy resulting in a greater number of businesses supported by the blue economy. Strategic management of institutions that focus on sustainable development, and enabled by an innovative and skilled private sector will support the revitalisation of the Blue Economy.

Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Mr Mervin D. Hastings said, “The Virgin Islands total land area equates to about 153 km2, alternatively we have the rights and responsibilities to 80,117 km2 of ocean real estate (some 500 times more than our land real estate). Like so many other small islands developing state, we are very dependent on our oceans and the sectors in which they support. Sectors such as Fisheries and Tourism play an important economic role in the Virgin Islands and with the passing of the Virgin Islands Strategic Blue Economy Road Map, we are hopeful for the advancement and development of new ocean-based sectors while at the same time ensuring our ocean’s sustainable use.”

The Virgin Islands’ vision for the blue economy is to develop the blue economy as a means to promote sustainable economic growth while protecting and enhancing the habitats and resources that underpin that growth through improved environmental governance and stewardship, better education and an improved understanding of our shared marine space. Our shared marine space can be categorised in six thematic areas: 1) Enabling conditions 2) Maritime tourism 3) Fisheries 4) Aquaculture 5) Marine information and science needs 6) New and emerging opportunities. Each of these thematic areas has a defined Specific Development Objective (SDO) with each SDO having a series of "Results Areas" that will be achieved through specific activities.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour continues to manage the natural resources of the Territory in a manner that ensures long-term sustainability.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×