Can we protect the oceans while ensuring economic growth? The answer lies in science

MARINA SANTURTÚN. Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Market Manager

Conserving marine life while promoting economic development sounds like an impossible challenge, but it is not. My experience in fisheries biology and ecology, and my work at AZTI managing marine initiatives, has shown me that it is possible to find a balance between the two worlds. But it requires science, innovation and a lot of commitment.

A challenging road to the Sustainable Development Goals

Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) de las Naciones Unidas son un llamado global a enfrentar los desafíos más apremiantes de nuestra sociedad: pobreza, cambio climático, desigualdades y más. Uno de ellos, el ODS 14, está dedicado a proteger la vida submarina y utilizar de manera sostenible los recursos de los océanos. Sin embargo, este objetivo no está aislado; está extremadamente conectado con otros como la acción climática (ODS 13) y el trabajo decente y crecimiento económico (ODS 8), entre otros.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our society: poverty, climate change, inequalities and more. One of them, SDG 14, is dedicated to the protection of underwater life and the sustainable use of ocean resources. But this goal is not isolated, it is very much linked to others, such as climate action (SDG 13) and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), among others.

However, integrating these goals is not an easy task. For example, while SDG 14 calls for reducing pollution and conserving biodiversity, others, such as SDG 8, seek to promote economic growth. These goals sometimes seem contradictory. The assumption is that efficiency gains will be enough to reconcile the tension between growth and environmental sustainability. And this is where innovation comes in: we need comprehensive strategies that don’t just solve one problem, but benefit the whole system. Finding opportunities where we once saw problems.

Science and innovation: the key to sustainable fisheries

At AZTI, we have adopted the ecosystem approach to fisheries management. What does this mean? It is not just about thinking exclusively about how many fish we can catch, but about understanding that the entire marine ecosystem is a whole and that analysing it in this way has great benefits for society.

In this approach, innovation is key. There are many examples of projects that we have been carrying out at AZTI. For example, we use new tools such as genetic analysis, tagging and advanced modelling techniques to identify different tuna populations and their movements in the oceans and thus establish sustainable catch limits. This ensures that fisheries remain viable in the long term. Thanks to scientific advances, we have learned to differentiate tuna stocks in different regions, allowing us to manage them more efficiently. This knowledge, combined with responsible fishing practices, ensures that the resource remains available for future generations.

We are also using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to, among other things, better predict where fish stocks are, how they are distributed in the water column and spatially, and how they are affected by climate change. Knowing the exact location of fishing grounds not only optimises catches, but also minimises environmental impact by reducing carbon footprints (pollution) and helps fishermen prepare for future scenarios of changing stock distributions. Knowing where to fish also allows us to know where not to fish for sensitive species. In this way, by-catch of species such as certain sharks, turtles and seabirds can be reduced and biodiversity maintained.

We are also looking for new fisheries resources. For example, our team is analysing the potential of mesopelagic fish, organisms that live in deep waters and could be a sustainable food source, from various perspectives (ecosystem, economic, etc.). However, we know that any exploitation must take into account their crucial role in marine ecosystems. At AZTI, we have been conducting studies on these fish to better understand their functions in the ecosystem and to assess whether it would be viable to include them in the human food chain or, on the contrary, whether the benefits they provide to the marine ecosystem at a global level are so significant that it is better not to exploit them. This research is part of our constant search for a balance between innovation, sustainability and sustainable economic activity.

At AZTI we are also working on projects to reduce the human impact on the marine environment. We are working on the development of alternative materials to plastic and the recycling of fishing nets to combat marine pollution. We are working to decarbonise the fishing fleet, improving routes and the energy efficiency of vessels to reduce carbon emissions from maritime transport. With this in mind, we have participated in the development of the first electric boat in the Basque Country, which uses renewable energy and provides electricity to AZTI’s onshore facilities in a closed loop.

Towards a sustainable future

Protecting the oceans is not just an environmental goal; it is a necessity for our survival. At AZTI, we are convinced that, through science and innovation, we can address the most pressing challenges, from marine conservation to climate change, while fostering economic development that benefits society as a whole.

However, this requires a collective effort. Governments, businesses, researchers and citizens must work together. We have already come a long way, but there is still a long way to go. As I often say: science gives us not only answers, but also the tools to act. And, at the end of the day, what we do today will define the world we leave to the next generations.