Australia’s blue economy at a crossroads: toward an integrated/interwoven systems model for sustainable ocean prosperity

Australia’s blue economy, worth about A$229 billion and growing faster than the broader economy, stands at a strategic turning point. Despite its vast and biodiverse marine estate, Australia’s capacity to realise sustainable ocean prosperity is constrained by fragmented governance, weak data infrastructure, and the lack of a coordinated national strategy. This paper proposes an integrated systems model built on six interdependent pillars: national coordination, Indigenous and community partnership, industry-led innovation, cross-sector integration, real-time data and prediction, and adaptive governance. Across nine blue economy sectors, it identifies key knowledge gaps, technological needs, and governance innovations required to achieve sustainable development by 2035. The model offers a practical architecture for competitive, coordinated, and ecologically responsible ocean development at scale.