What’s your name and job title?
Belinda Bramley, Independent Blue Economy Consultant
What does your role entail and why is it important for oceans and coastlines?
I work on the "enabling conditions" for a regenerative blue economy which promotes protection and restoration of the marine environment and social inclusion and equity as its cornerstones. Without these elements we risk continuing business-as-usual and continued decline of our marine life and coastal communities.
Enabling conditions address how the blue economy is facilitated and organised at a national level and include things like blue finance, inclusive governance, stakeholder engagement, ocean accounts and marine spatial planning. These processes need to be collectively coherent and organised around a clear vision if they are to deliver a sustainable blue economy.
What advice would you give someone wanting to start a career like yours?
Take a close interest in what is happening, especially the areas that intrigue you most. Connect with projects and people doing work that interests you and subscribe to newsletters and blogs, to keep up-to-date with developments. Join events and read reports - many are online and free.
It takes time and luck for things to happen, be patient and persistent! You may find yourself doing work that feels unrelated to what you care about only to discover later in life that it offers you interesting new perspectives.
What skills are important for your job?
My role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement across sectors and disciplines. My accountancy qualification has helped me analyse and speak about the benefits of marine protection and social inclusion in simple economic terms, which governments and other stakeholders need when they consider scenarios for marine spatial planning. My previous roles working with NGOs have also helped me appreciate that the way we frame economic behaviour is at the root of our social and environmental problems and only be reforming this will we turn things around.
I have had to learn about the concepts of natural capital, ecosystem services and emerging ocean accounts, and their underlying data requirements. My natural curiosity has led me to do a lot of independent research on these areas, including marine science and conservation, nature-based solutions and inclusive blue economy approaches internationally.
What do you enjoy most about your work? And what do you dislike?
The variety and the opportunity to make some sort of difference. Working across silos and taking a broad, ongoing interest across the blue economy internationally gives me many insights and useful perspectives. I also work with many fascinating and driven people.
On the negative side, I think all roles can have boring aspects, when you are not learning or when projects are stuck, for example. My advice is to accept this will happen and use your free time in those moments to learn something new that interests you, to keep your motivation up.
Where can people learn more about you?
My LinkedIn Page: Click here.
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Glossary:
Blue Economy
The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. It encompasses industries such as fisheries, maritime transport, renewable energy, tourism, and biotechnology, aiming to balance economic development with ocean conservation.
Blue Finance
Blue Finance involves the financial mechanisms and investments that support the sustainable development of the Blue Economy. This includes funding for projects that promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, such as blue bonds, impact investments, and financial tools tailored to ocean-based industries. The goal is to align economic activities with environmental and social sustainability in marine and coastal areas.
Ocean Accounts
Ocean Accounts are a framework for measuring and reporting the value of ocean and marine resources, including their economic, social, and environmental aspects. This approach integrates data on the condition and use of marine ecosystems into national accounting systems, helping policymakers make informed decisions about the sustainable management of ocean resources.
Marine Spatial Planning
Marine Spatial Planning is a process that guides the distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives. MSP involves mapping marine resources, assessing their use and value, and developing plans to allocate space for different activities, such as fishing, shipping, and conservation, in a way that minimizes conflicts and protects marine ecosystems.
Natural Capital
Natural Capital refers to the world's stocks of natural assets, including geology, soil, air, water, and all living organisms. In marine science, it specifically pertains to the value of ocean and coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves, and fish populations. These natural assets provide ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and food resources, which are essential for human well-being and economic activity.
Nature Based Solutions
Nature-Based Solutions are strategies that protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges, such as climate change, food security, and disaster risk reduction. In the marine context, NBS include actions like restoring mangroves to protect coastlines from erosion, creating marine protected areas to enhance biodiversity, and using sustainable aquaculture practices to meet food demand while preserving ecosystem health.
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