Sustainability of the Blue Economy in the South Asian countries: Opportunities and challenges

This chapter aims to examine the drivers and contribution of the ‘Blue Economy' to GDP in the South Asian countries surrounded by the Ocean Indian ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Maldives, and SriLanka, have a long coastline and use of the Blue Economy. These countries use the oceans resources, namely tourism, fisheries, maritime cargo transport, coastal guards, and naval ships, facing many opportunities and challenges. Therefore, it is important that the countries have a sustainable ocean resources management policies for blue economy driven economic development and meet few of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The importance of the Blue Economy is also recognized by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal–14 Life Below Water – to- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.