In this instalment of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance interview campaign, Eivind Lorentzen, Specialist Director at Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, shares his perspective on one of the most pressing global challenges of our time: how to secure healthy food for a growing world population while protecting the ocean systems on which we all depend on.
Eivind Lorentzen stated that “a sustainable blue economy creates value for all parts of society while staying within the boundaries of nature”.
Turning our focus from short-term exploitation to systems design that can bring prosperity for future generations is easier for countries with a strong economy to focus on conservation and long-term environmental protection. However, this is not a reality in many parts of the world. Environmental protection and everyday survival are still struggling to coexist, and sustainability can become a luxury rather than a choice. Changing this reality is not an option, but a global responsibility.
Food security is dependent on the future of our oceans. The ocean covers around 70% of the planet, however, it accounts for a smaller fraction of global food production. With the global population increasingly growing, the demand for nutritious and sustainable food continues to increase as well, and the global ocean is essential to achieve it. Fisheries, aquaculture, and the harvesting of marine resources all play an important role in feeding us. Nevertheless, we must operate within the ocean’s ecological limits in order to be sustainable.
Eivind stresses that “growth and conservation are not mutually exclusive”. Well-designed marine protected areas, developed through collaboration between scientists, industry and local communities, can protect biodiversity while ensuring a sustainable blue economy. For this, good planning and effective governance are important factors. Transparent management tools, such as “traffic light” systems which guide activities in different areas, can help balance competing uses and build public trust.
The combination of industries in shared ocean spaces is one promising approach. Smarter spatial planning can reduce pressure on coastal areas, which are often the most exploited, while increasing overall economic productivity. Targeting further offshore areas could also open new areas for sustainable expansion, provided they are well designed and carefully managed.
The capacity of each country is limited, and large-scale challenges such as food security and sustainable blue economy should be addressed primarily through joint research and international collaboration. The All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance serves as a science-diplomacy initiative designed to strengthen and advance cross-country cooperation, while also enabling the scientific knowledge generation that is needed to sustainably manage our Atlantic Ocean.
From smarter spatial planning to unexpected innovations such as shoes made from seaweed in Iceland, the message is clear: the ocean holds massive potential to support our growing needs. The current challenge is to unlock that potential in a responsible way, ensuring that it contributes to food security, economic opportunity and environmental resilience for future generations.
If sustainable blue economy is not achieved the benefits will be short-lived, leaving depleted ecosystems and fewer resources for future generations. A truly sustainable blue economy is intergenerational by design, ensuring that today’s prosperity does not come at the expense of tomorrow’s survival.
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