Blue Social Protection: Protecting People, Fish And Food
World Bank Group, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
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Abstract: This policy handbook presents the Blue Social Protection (BSP) initiative led by the World Bank and IIED, aimed at integrating social protection programs into fisheries reform strategies. The document recognizes that communities dependent on small-scale fisheries are among the most vulnerable to climate shocks and biodiversity loss. BSP proposes to bridge social protection and marine governance through instruments such as public works, conditional cash transfers, and unemployment schemes tailored to fishing households. Case studies?including one from Kenya?illustrate the benefits of coupling sustainability enforcement with compensatory mechanisms. The handbook includes guidance on profiling fisheries actors, conducting social-ecological risk assessments, aligning SPJ programs with marine policy objectives, and coordinating across ministries. It outlines six priority actions for effective implementation: data infrastructure, community engagement, innovative finance, monitoring frameworks, policy convergence, and scale-up design. The document offers actionable recommendations for practitioners, governments, and donors seeking inclusive, climate-resilient blue economy development pathways.