FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE: ANALYSING BLUE ECONOMY STRATEGIES AND SDG ALIGNMENT IN MARITIME GOVERNANCE

The Blue Economy has gained prominence as a strategic framework for sustainable ocean-based development that integrates economic growth with environmental stewardship and social inclusion. This chapter offers a critical analysis of the evolution of Blue Economy strategies from high-level policy commitments to their operationalization within national and regional maritime governance systems. It evaluates the degree to which these strategies are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The Chapter identifies both enabling factors and structural impediments in the translation of policy into practice, including fragmented governance, limited inter-agency coordination, and disparities in stakeholder engagement. Moreover, it assesses how scientific research, technological innovation, and marine spatial planning are being utilized to advance sustainable fisheries, maritime transport, renewable energy, and blue biotechnology. The analysis reveals persistent gaps between aspirational policy discourse and tangible outcomes, often due to insufficient regulatory enforcement, lack of financing, and marginalization of coastal and indigenous communities