Blue Economy of the Indian Ocean Resource Economics, Strategic Vision, and Ethical Governance

The economic paradigms currently dominating the world are not sustainable. The threats from climate change, exploitation-based approaches to commerce, and the excess acquisition of resources loom large as well as the possibility of military flare-ups. Maintaining a balance between development and ecosystems, aspirations for growth, and the need for sustainability is a prescient challenge. The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) encompasses some of the poorest countries in the world and those that will bear the brunt of the negative impacts from climate change. This book explores the immense potential of the IOR and how best to maintain sustainable and responsible economic and strategic activities. The combination of science, innovation, and entrepreneurship will create a new blue economy business model, which has the potential to transform society. Based on critical analysis of the model and its practical applications, including risks as well as opportunities, the topics discussed range from food security, energy, and resilience to climate change, trade and investments, and improved maritime connectivity to tourism, poverty alleviation, and socioeconomic growth, encompassing a wide range of interests and expertise. FEATURES Examines the geo-politics, geo-resources, and geo-hazards of the IOR and identifies opportunities and methods to achieve success Covers a detailed assessment of available resources (fisheries, minerals, energy), threats such as pollution (plastic, acoustic, carbon, bio-invasion), geo-politics (maritime security, military invasion), and strategic vision (determining carrying capacity, ethical governance, and responsible ecosystem) of the Indian Ocean Analyzes the economics of the blue economy, the global scenario including the Pacific and Caribbean islands, and the aspect of the Chinese geo-political invasion in the Indian Ocean Inspires entrepreneurs to adopt new ways of creating economic benefits, reducing energy use, and increasing revenue while simultaneously helping the communities involved Discusses the threat and security perspectives of the IOR and the collective responsibility for a sustainable use of resources Crossing a wide range of interests and expertise, this book explores topics and ideas that will be essential to researchers and professionals in marine sciences, economics, business, geography, and political sciences. Graduate students in the same fields as well as any and all organizations that maintain a presence in the IOR will likewise find this book to be a valuable resource.

1. Introduction 2. The Indian Scenario 3. The Indian Ocean Region 4. Global Status 5. Threats to the Blue Economy 6. Opportunities Ahead 7. Economic Projections 8. Ethical Blue Economy 9. Epilogue

Ranadhir Mukhopadhyay is the former Director of Mauritius Oceanography Institute (Mauritius) and former Chief Scientist of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (Goa). A trained Earth scientist, Dr. Mukhopadhyay has also contributed in HR management, strategic leadership, and in developing an ethical governance model. He has 35 years of research and 20 years of teaching experience. With doctoral degrees both in natural science (geology, 1988) and in social science (public administration, 2019), he also has authored four books. V. J. Loveson is a Professor and Chief Scientist at the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. With a doctoral degree in applied geology, he has about three decades of experience in mineral resources mapping, quaternary research, sea-level studies, paleo-climate reconstruction, coastal disaster management, and marine archaeology. He has edited three books. Sridhar D. Iyer has a doctoral degree in geology and is a Professor and former Chief Scientist with CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. He has 35 years of research experience in ocean science and two decades of teaching experience. He has authored two books. P. K. Sudarsan, with a doctoral degree in economics and several decades of teaching experience behind him, is the Vice-Dean of the Goa Business School at Goa University, Taleigao (Goa). Formerly he was the head of the Department of Economics at Goa University.