Can capitalism save ocean conservation?

The document highlights the economic potential of better marine resource management, noting that US$ 50 billion in annual benefits are lost due to poor fishing organization. It identifies aquaculture, coastal tourism, and mineral/energy extraction as key sectors where sustainability is linked to profitability. The authors advocate for a collaborative approach involving businesses, scientists, and policymakers to move from a patchwork of efforts to systemic solutions for ocean conservation.

• Poor organization and management of marine fishing results in an estimated annual loss of at least US$ 50 billion in benefits.
• Aquaculture is the primary driver of growth in global fish production and is essential for future food security, provided it does not cause significant coastal and marine degradation.
• Economic sectors based in the ocean, including coastal tourism and mineral and energy extraction, face a tension between growth and the preservation of natural assets, requiring international regulation and sustainable practices.
• Achieving large-scale change in ocean management requires a multistakeholder dialogue between business leaders, scientists, civil society, and political decision-makers to define corporate ocean responsibility and identify risks.

APA

Knight, C., & Chalmers, N. (2012). Can capitalism save ocean conservation? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/can-capitalism-save-ocean-conservation/

Chicago

Knight, Chris, and Nathalie Chalmers. Can capitalism save ocean conservation? World Economic Forum, 2012. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/can-capitalism-save-ocean-conservation/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Knight |first1=Chris |last2=Chalmers |first2=Nathalie |title=Can capitalism save ocean conservation? |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=8 June 2012 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/can-capitalism-save-ocean-conservation/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{knight2012can, author = {Knight, Chris and Chalmers, Nathalie}, title = {{Can capitalism save ocean conservation?}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2012}, month = jun, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/can-capitalism-save-ocean-conservation/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }