Blue Foods: A Southeast Alliance Between Ocean and Innovation

The role of this vast constellation of aquatic foods is becoming increasingly central to the sustainable development of the ASEAN region

By Tommaso Magrini

In the heart of Southeast Asia, where the sea is not just a horizon but a daily source of food, work, and identity, a new vision for fair and sustainable development is gaining ground — that of blue foods. Though still little known to the wider public, this term encompasses a broad spectrum of foods sourced from aquatic environments — seas, rivers, and lagoons — ranging from fish and shellfish to edible seaweeds and smaller organisms that, despite their size, have an enormous nutritional and economic impact. Now more than ever, these resources are emerging as a key tool to address the interconnected challenges of malnutrition, unemployment, and environmental degradation throughout the ASEAN region.

The nutritional potential of blue foods is extraordinary. Rich in easily digestible proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential micronutrients such as iron and vitamin B12, these foods are a lifeline in areas where childhood malnutrition and a lack of animal-based protein remain widespread. In Indonesia, for instance, more than half of the population’s animal protein intake comes from fish and other marine products — making blue foods vital to the food security of over 280 million people. But the value of blue foods goes well beyond nutrition. They are also an economic and cultural backbone for hundreds of millions of people living in coastal communities — families who, for generations, have practiced small-scale fishing or aquaculture, often under precarious conditions.

However, these vital resources are increasingly under threat from an economic system that, until recently, prioritized quantity over sustainability. Overfishing, marine pollution, mangrove destruction, and climate change are disrupting entire ecosystems and endangering the livelihoods of those who depend on them. On top of that, unregulated intensive aquaculture has brought significant negative impacts, both environmental and social: mangrove forests cleared to make way for shrimp ponds, polluted waters, and biodiversity loss.

Yet amid this complex picture, signs of a possible — and in many cases already underway — transformation are emerging. One of the most promising drivers of this change is the growing ecosystem of local startups operating in the blue foods sector. These young companies — often founded by innovators, scientists, or members of coastal communities themselves — are reimagining the relationship between people and the ocean with solutions that combine technology, sustainability, and social inclusion.

In countries like Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, many startups are developing models of regenerative aquaculture. This includes integrated farming systems that combine fish, seaweed, and shellfish — known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture — as well as silvoaquaculture, which couples mangrove restoration with shrimp farming. These approaches not only help regenerate local ecosystems, but often improve the economic resilience of the families involved.

Other initiatives, such as Collabit in Indonesia, are showing that even fish waste can become a valuable resource. By using parts of the tuna that are typically discarded, these startups produce sustainable animal feed or biofertilizers — practical examples of circular economy principles applied to the sea, where waste reduction and value creation go hand in hand.

This wave of innovation is not emerging by chance. It is being actively supported by regional initiatives like the ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation Challenge, backed by the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank. The program funds dozens of startups that develop technologies and business models aimed at restoring marine ecosystems while also improving the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. Complementing this effort is the Blue SEA Finance Hub, which seeks to mobilize both public and private capital for the blue economy, with a focus on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises.

An essential aspect of this transformation involves governance and inclusivity. For too long, ocean policy has been shaped without consulting the people who rely on it most. Now, a more participatory approach is gaining traction — one that recognizes the role of small-scale fishers and especially women, who are often invisible in official value chains but fundamental to processing, trade, and the preservation of local knowledge. In Indonesia, for example, women-led cooperatives working in the blue swimming crab sector are showing that a truly sustainable blue economy must also be fair and inclusive.

Looking ahead, it is increasingly clear that blue foods are not a niche — they are a cornerstone of national development strategies. Indonesia, with its more than 17,000 islands and one of the longest coastlines in the world, has already launched collaborations with international universities to integrate blue resources into its food, health, and economic policies. And other ASEAN countries appear ready to follow suit.

The potential value of the global blue economy is immense. Projections estimate more than 15 trillion dollars in future economic potential, and blue food systems could help offset up to 40% of greenhouse gas emissions through regenerative practices in marine and coastal zones. But to unlock this potential, we need political vision, targeted investments, and — above all — the courage to trust those already innovating from the ground up.

Every day, Southeast Asia’s startups show us that a different blue economy is possible: not one based on blind exploitation, but on regeneration, dignity, and resilience. And perhaps, from the sea — so often seen only as a resource to plunder — can emerge a new model of development. One that is fairer, deeper, and more human.