In the bustling port city of Trabzon, Turkey, a unique gathering of minds took place last November. The “Engaging Stakeholders: Trabzon Multi-Actor Forum” brought together a diverse group of maritime professionals, academics, and policymakers to tackle the pressing challenges and untapped opportunities within the Black Sea’s Blue Economy. The forum, spearheaded by Kadir Seyhan, a professor at the Department of Maritime Business Administration, Faculty of Marine Science, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Türkiye, was a clarion call for collaboration and innovation.
The Black Sea, a vital maritime hub, is grappling with significant environmental and economic hurdles, primarily due to climate change and human activities. But the region isn’t just about challenges; it’s brimming with potential. The forum, which covered 17 key sectors of the Blue Economy, was a melting pot of ideas and insights. The participants discussed everything from political and environmental aspects to social, technical, legal, and economic factors, revealing a wealth of opportunities and challenges.
The forum highlighted that the Black Sea’s Blue Economy is a complex web of interconnected sectors, each with its unique set of opportunities and challenges. For instance, the maritime transport sector, a backbone of the region’s economy, faces issues like aging infrastructure and inefficient logistics. However, with the right investments and policies, it could become a model of sustainability and innovation. Seyhan emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “Efficient collaboration with stakeholders could lead to effective solutions and strategies, helping to improve the Blue Economy in the Black Sea region.”
The forum also shed light on the potential of aquaculture and fisheries. The Black Sea’s rich marine biodiversity offers a plethora of opportunities for sustainable aquaculture practices. However, overfishing and pollution pose significant threats. The participants discussed the need for robust policies and technologies to mitigate these issues and promote sustainable fishing practices. Seyhan noted, “There are significant opportunities and potential of its Blue Economy and the role of Turkish stakeholders in the key sectors have not been well documented.”
The forum wasn’t just about identifying problems; it was about finding solutions. Participants discussed the potential of marine coastal tourism, which could be a game-changer for the region’s economy. However, it requires a delicate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation. The forum also highlighted the need for a comprehensive ocean policy that integrates all these sectors, ensuring sustainable development and economic growth.
The forum provided valuable insights, indicating that efficient collaboration with stakeholders could lead to effective solutions and strategies, helping to improve the Blue Economy in the Black Sea region. The forum’s success underscores the importance of such multi-sectoral gatherings. It’s a reminder that the future of the Black Sea’s Blue Economy lies in our hands, and it’s up to us to shape it sustainably and responsibly.
Seyhan’s work was published in the ‘Frontiers in Marine Science’ journal, offering a comprehensive overview of the forum’s findings and recommendations. The study, titled “Bridging the gaps for a thriving Black Sea Blue Economy: insights from a multi-sectoral forum of Turkish stakeholders,” provides a roadmap for the region’s sustainable development.
