The Blue Economy in Vision 2050

Malta’s proposed Vision 2050 places the sustainable management of the country’s limited land and maritime space at the centre of future planning. Pillar 4 of the strategy, focused on “Smart Land and Sea Usage,” calls for development that respects the carrying capacity of the islands while enhancing quality of life. 

The document states that 

“Malta’s limited land and maritime space requires careful, forward-looking planning to balance development with environmental stewardship and long-term well-being. This pillar focuses on the intelligent use of both land and sea, ensuring that growth respects the carrying capacity of the country while enhancing quality of life. In Urban Planning, the aim is to promote sustainable architectural practices and ensure that land is allocated strategically to support livable, compact communities. Development will be guided by long-term spatial plans that prioritise functionality, resilience, and visual harmony. Through the Green Malta initiative, the country will work to expand urban and rural green spaces, protect agricultural land from overdevelopment, and support the transition to cleaner fuels-including the introduction of biofuels-to reduce environmental pressure and enhance biodiversity. Malta will also cautiously explore Land Reclamation projects that are rooted in sound environmental and economic assessments, ensuring that any such interventions offer long-term public value and align with sustainability goals.”

It is positive that Malta’s maritime potential receives prominence in the document. The idea of a Blue Economy has gained traction worldwide, especially among small states, as a route toward innovation, sustainability, and prosperity from the sea.

Here I wish to refer to a scientific article published in Nature’s Ocean Sustainability journal, where a team of social scientists including myself argue that enthusiasm for the Blue Economy must be matched by strong safeguards for social justice. The paper, produced within the RethinkBlue COST Action network, warns that without inclusive governance, economic gains are likely to be unevenly distributed.

Evidence from Europe and beyond shows that rapid marine development can lead to displacement of small-scale fishers, restrictions on traditional marine uses, negative impacts on coastal communities, and environmental harm. Thus, social sciences are essential to ensure that coastal and marine policies deliver benefits fairly and maintain local livelihoods.

The paper calls for greater participation of communities in decision-making, better understanding of power relations and inequalities, and stronger links between research and policy. It also proposes a practical roadmap to secure a Blue Economy that supports both sustainability and well-being.

Malta’s future prosperity is closely tied to the sea. As competition for marine space expands through tourism, energy, aquaculture, and conservation, the decisions taken today will shape who benefits tomorrow. Vision 2050 presents an opportunity to align economic advancement with environmental care and social justice.

Reference: Penca, J., Ertör, I., Ballesteros, M., Briguglio, M., Kowalewski, M., Pauksztat, B.,Cepić, D., Piñeiro-Corbeira, C., Vaidianu, N.,  Villasante,S. & Pascual-Fernández, JJ. (2025) Rethinking the Blue Economy: Integrating social science for sustainability and justice. npj Ocean Sustain 4, 40. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00138-1

Prof Michael Briguglio is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Malta