Based on the gaps presented in the previous article, we conclude that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive review of the current legal and policy framework in Yemen, and the development of new legislation and the adoption of an integrated strategic vision to enable Yemen to maximize the utilization of its potential in the Blue Economy in a sustainable manner. In this second part of this article, we seek to present practical proposals for enhancing and adopting comprehensive policies that draw an initial roadmap for the development of the Blue Economy in Yemen. We will focus on highlighting the legal and institutional framework governing the key sectors of the Blue Economy in Yemen, such as: fisheries, maritime transport, marine tourism, offshore renewable energy, and marine biotechnology.

Proposals for Enhancing and Adopting Comprehensive Policies for Developing the Blue Economy in Yemen:

To achieve maximum benefit from the enormous potential of the Blue Economy in Yemen and address the existing legislative and policy gaps, it requires adopting a comprehensive and integrated approach based on several main axes. These proposals aim to build a strong and sustainable framework through which Yemen can enhance its Blue Economy and achieve sustainable development:

1. At the Level of Policies and Strategies:

Due to the transboundary nature of many marine issues (such as joint fish stock management, combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine environmental protection, etc.), Yemen must strengthen regional and international cooperation with neighboring countries and regional and international organizations, and this can include exchanging expertise and knowledge, coordinating policies, and participating in regional initiatives related to the Blue Economy.

The Yemeni government must formulate / prepare a comprehensive and clearly defined National Blue Economy Strategy, which specifies the goals, priorities, and key targeted sectors (such as fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, marine tourism, offshore renewable energy, marine biotechnology). This strategy must be based on a comprehensive assessment of resources, potential, and challenges, and include measurable performance indicators to ensure tracking of progress. This strategy should also be the product of a participatory process that includes all stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, and research entities.

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a vital tool for effectively and systematically managing the uses of marine areas, and it contributes to achieving sustainable development and protecting marine ecosystems. Accordingly, Yemen must develop a national plan for Maritime Spatial Planning that identifies the different uses of marine areas (such as fishing grounds, environmental protection areas, shipping lanes, offshore renewable energy development zones, etc.) and ensures compatibility between these uses and avoids conflicts of interest.

2. At the Level of Legislation and Laws:

There is an urgent and pressing need to review, update, and amend current laws (such as the Maritime Law, the Environmental Protection Law, and the Law for the Regulation, Exploitation, and Protection of Aquatic Organisms), to include modern concepts of the Blue Economy and the requirements of sustainable development. These amendments must include clear provisions regarding:

○ Enhancing Marine Environmental Sustainability: By establishing clear mechanisms for protecting the marine environment from all forms of pollution, setting strict standards for sustainable fishing, effectively establishing and managing Marine Protected Areas, and protecting marine biodiversity.

○ Including legal provisions to regulate and encourage investment in emerging (promising) sectors such as offshore renewable energy (wind energy, tidal energy), marine biotechnology, sustainable aquaculture, and ecological marine tourism.

There is also a need to issue and enact new legislation and laws to fill legislative gaps in some sectors that are not sufficiently covered by current laws, such as a special law for Maritime Spatial Planning, or a law for the integrated regulation and management of coastal areas, or a law to encourage local and foreign investors and young entrepreneurs to invest in the various fields of the Blue Economy.

3. At the Level of Capacity Building and Institutions:

The Yemeni government must invest in developing human capital by focusing on Blue Economy-related specializations in universities, institutes, and vocational training centers. This includes programs in marine sciences, fisheries, marine engineering, coastal management, eco-tourism, and marine biotechnology. Practical training and qualification opportunities must also be provided to youth to enable them to engage in Blue Economy jobs. In addition to building and strengthening the capacities of government institutions concerned with managing the marine sector, by providing the necessary training for employees, updating infrastructure, and applying modern management systems to ensure effectiveness and transparency in marine resource management.

The private sector plays a vital role in providing the capital, expertise, and innovation necessary for the development of Blue Economy projects. Therefore, the government must provide an attractive investment environment for the private sector by simplifying procedures, offering incentives, and providing the necessary infrastructure to encourage investment in this sector. Furthermore, encouraging scientific research, studies, and innovation in the Blue Economy field, and providing the necessary support to research centers and universities to conduct studies on Yemen's marine resources, develop new technologies, and innovate sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the marine sector in Yemen.

By adopting the preceding proposals, Yemen can lay the fundamental foundation for building a thriving and sustainable Blue Economy, which contributes to achieving food security, providing employment opportunities, diversifying income sources, and protecting the marine environment for future generations.

In conclusion, the Blue Economy represents a golden opportunity for Yemen to achieve sustainable development, economic recovery, and emerge from the crises it suffers from under the current circumstances. The country's immense marine resources—from rich fisheries to its strategic geographical location—provide a strong foundation for building a prosperous and diversified economy. However, fully capitalizing on this potential requires a concerted national effort to adopt comprehensive and sustainable policies, and effective practices to modernize the existing legal framework and bridge the legislative gaps that impede the development of emerging marine sectors.

Adopting a clear and comprehensive strategic vision for the Blue Economy in Yemen—through developing Maritime Spatial Planning plans, strengthening regional and international cooperation, alongside updating current laws and enacting new legislation, and investing in human and institutional capacity building—are all essential steps to enable Yemen to maximize the utilization of its marine resources in a responsible and sustainable manner. The only way for Yemen to ensure a prosperous blue future that achieves food security, provides employment opportunities, and protects the marine environment sustainably, preserving the rights of future generations, will only be realized through the combined efforts of the government sector, the private sector, civil society, the international and local community, and research centers working together.