Outlook Report N. 2/2020 - Blue economy

A study that aims to identify the fundamental characteristics and factors that describe the blue economy, starting from its definition and ending with an examination of the environmental, economic and regulatory dimensions that characterise the European, national and Apulian spheres. Few data are sufficient to provide an idea of the relevance of the sectors pertaining to the blue economy for the country and the region. These include the fact that the Mediterranean has around half of the EU's fishing fleet and, with less than 1% of the world's seas, is involved in 15% of global maritime transport; that Italy has the world's first fleet of car carriers, the fifth largest flag fleet in the G20, the second largest fishing fleet in the Mediterranean and is first in the world in the construction of cruise ships and mega-yachts; and, finally, that in 2018 there were around 7 blue economy companies in Puglia. 100 (4% of those in the region) of which more than 70% operated in tourism and fishing and that there were 34,400 people employed in Puglia's blue economy, 47% of them in tourism. The report concludes with an examination of some of the key messages/factors that can help shape the future scenarios of this economic macro sector.