162.2.3 Inclusiveness and livelihood of communities during the SBE transition process The expansion of ocean-based industries can lead to the displacement of local communities and exacerbate social inequities. Coastal communities often rely on traditional livelihoods, such as fishing and tourism, which may be impacted by industrial activities35. Involving local communities and ensuring both their visibility in decision- making processes and that they benefit from ocean-based developments can address social challenges, assure support and engagement and encourage innovation. Inclusive governance models and benefit-sharing mechanisms can help distribute the economic gains of the SBE more equitably36. Even with the high growth of industrial activity in the ocean economy in the 21st century (dubbed “the blue acceleration”)37, small-scale (in some cases artisanal) fisheries are still the ocean’s largest employer38. The most recent estimates show that these fisheries include significant numbers of people worldwide who participate in them for subsistence only, suggesting that the ocean and its small-scale fisheries can provide important safety nets to help prevent poverty and food insecurity39. Hence any policy or collective action to shift ocean use must include the voices of these users40 and their wider coastal communities to ensure that their rights and traditional uses are protected as part of an equitable SBE 41,42,43 . Indeed, international policy goals (SDG14.b)44 and instruments45 have been agreed on in order to secure a safe space in the increasingly crowded ocean for small-scale fisheries. Some scholars have suggested that governments could zone coastal areas for small-scale fisheries, a tool some countries are already using46. Regardless of the specific policy instruments, placing coastal communities at the center of decisions for future ocean use will require a multi- pronged approach47, and will also likely determine whether a future SBE is, by definition, sustainable. Throughout the entire fishing industry supply chain, women’s contributions are significant in both pre-harvest tasks such as net repair and bait preparation as well as harvesting in coastal shallow waters. Their catches are essential for family nutrition and income support. Globally, women constitute more than 85% of the workforce, significant in both small-scale and industrial processing sectors48. Despite their significant role in ocean economy sectors like fisheries, women often hold low-ranking, underpaid or informal positions, instead of managerial roles, and they struggle to access resources like capital, credit or 35 Bennett, N J., Blythe, J., White, C.S., et al., 2021, “Blue growth and blue justice: Ten risks and solutions for the ocean economy”, Marine Policy 125, 104387. 36 Bennett, N.J., Cisneros-Montemayor, A.M., Blythe, J., et al., 2019, “Towards a sustainable and equitable blue economy”, Nature Sustainability 2(11), 991-993. 37 Jouffray, J.B., Blasiak, R., Norström, A.V., et al., 2020, “The blue acceleration: the trajectory of human expansion into the ocean”, One earth 2(1), 43-54. 38 FAO, Duke University, and WorldFish, Illuminating Hidden Harvests: The Contributions of Small-Scale Fisheries to Sustainable Development, 2023, https:/ /openknowledge.fao.org/ items/34646086-8b46-4040-b3b9-c569058bceb9 . 39 Virdin, J., Basurto, X., Nico, G., et al., 2023, “Fishing for subsistence constitutes a livelihood safety net for populations dependent upon aquatic foods around the world”, Nature Food 4 (10), 874-885. 40 Cohen P. J., Allison E.H., Andrew N.L., et al., 2019, “Securing a just space for small-scale fisheries in the blue economy”, Frontiers in Marine Science 6(171), 1–8. 41 Bennett, N.J., Cisneros-Montemayor, A.M., Blythe, J., et al., 2019, “Towards a sustainable and equitable blue economy”, Nature Sustainability , 2(11), 991-993. 42 Österblom, H., Wabnitz, C.C.C., Tladi D., et al., Towards Ocean Equity , 2020, www.oceanpanel.org/how-distribute-benefits-ocean-equitably . 43 Gill, D. A., Blythe, J., Bennett, N., et al., 2023, “Triple exposure: reducing negative impacts of climate change, blue growth, and conservation on coastal communities”, One Earth , 6(2), 118-130. 44 “Goal 14 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs”, United Nations, n.d., https:/ /sdgs.un.org/goals/goal14#targets_and_indicators . 45 “Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries”, FAO, n.d., https:/ /www.fao.org/voluntary-guidelines-small-scale-fisheries/en . 46 Basurto, X., Vidin, J., Franz, N., et al., 2024, “Securing ocean space for the sustainable development of small-scale fisheries”, Research Square . 47 Claudet, J., Blythe, J., Gill, D.A., et al., 2024, “Advancing ocean equity at the nexus of development, climate and conservation policy” Nature Ecology & Evolution , 8(7), 1205-1208. 48 FAO Globefish Research Programme, The role of women in the seafood industry, 2015, Page 3, http:/ /www.globefish.org/upl/Publications/Final%20EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY_GL.pdf . 49 International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Steering Gender to the Centre of the Blue Economy, 2019, https:/ /www.iied.org/steering-gender-centre-blue-economy .training. Social norms and domestic responsibilities further limit their opportunities49. Thus, SBE-related policies should be inclusive to value women’s contributions and recognize their distinct roles to assure their equitable livelihood opportunities. The successful implementation and sustainability of an SBE greatly depends on public participation and acceptance. Failing to engage community in the process can undermine the recognition and effectiveness of SBE development. The Department of Marine Ecology and Environment under the MEE launched an online platform and app to encourage public involvement in marine environmental protection and to gather coastal residents’ views on coastal development and conservation. More efforts are needed to promote the importance of coastal and marine conservation among local communities, including women who often have more limited access to information and barriers to their participation in public forums. These platforms can serve as educational tools and can leverage collective community wisdom to inform policy making for developing an SBE at both the national and local levels. To understand the gender issues of different marine economic sectors and regions, as well as the potential disproportionate impact of climate change on gender, data need to be gathered and analysed from various primary and secondary sources. By mapping key demographic and economic indicators and assessing high-impact sectors in marine economy, this will provide insights to set the foundation for policymaking to ensure gender inclusion in the SBE development processes. Patrick Yeung

Advancing China's Sustainable Blue Economy 2025