In rural Haiti, the blue economy keeps rural communities afloat amid crisis

The blue economy, or the use of aquatic and coastal resources to drive economic growth, generates around US$2.5 trillion globally each year. This makes it equivalent to the world’s 7th largest economy – and spanning a wide range of sectors from fisheries and aquaculture to coastal infrastructure, maritime transport and tourism, it holds even greater untapped economic potential. 

But a sustainable blue economy can also be a powerful driver of resilience, particularly in small island developing states (SIDS). Well-designed blue economy investments diversify livelihoods, strengthen local food systems, and support the sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems that mitigate climate-related shocks. 

That's why 23 per cent of IFAD-supported projects include fisheries and aquaculture, with US$2.1 billion invested since 2010. IFAD's investments stabilize incomes, reduce climate-related damages and underpin sustainable growth. 

An IFAD-funded project in Haiti offers important lessons. Launched in 2022 as IFAD's first blue economy investment project in Latin America and the Caribbean, the US$26.6 million Inclusive Blue Economy Project (I-BE) – implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance – is demonstrating how strengthening the blue economy can allow coastal rural communities to continue driving growth even in the most fragile contexts.

A strategic lever for resilience

Coastal communities in Haiti face deep obstacles to economic growth, with the country's ongoing security issues and political instability disrupting value chains, increasing the cost of market access and pushing many people to migrate. At the same time, they are among the world's most vulnerable areas to the impact of climate change. 

In this fragile context, building long-term resilience is especially important – and the I-BE project is showing how this can be achieved through investments in the blue economy. On the country’s northern coast, IFAD’s investments in essential rural infrastructure and revitalization of local industries aim to boost resilience, food security and self-sufficiency. 

As economic opportunities increase, the project is also transforming the way coastal rural populations manage marine resources, ensuring these resources can continue to support livelihoods for years to come. For instance, I-BE is currently installing offshore fish aggregating devices that shift fishing pressure away from overexploited inshore coral reefs, offering local fishers a way to increase catches and incomes sustainably. 

In the small coastal community of Jacquezil, meanwhile, residents now work together to restore mangroves with I-BE's support. These ecosystems act as natural barriers against rising sea levels, helping to prevent coastal erosion and reduce the impact of flooding – and by providing breeding grounds for marine life, they support local fishing communities. To date, six mangrove nurseries covering a total area of around 1,500 m² have been established, with a total production estimated at 117,000 seedlings.

Guilène, 58, a mother of 10, hopes to grow her business and continue securing her family’s future. © IFAD/Galvany Nicolas

From fish vendors to entrepreneurs

Along the coast on the Bay of Fort-Liberté, the I-BE programme is supporting small-scale fish vendors in transforming their livelihoods into profitable businesses that can withstand a range of crises. Here, many fish vendors have worked for decades but did not have the tools they needed to turn their informal work into commercial ventures. 

In early 2026, nearly 200 local fish vendors took this step thanks to an intensive training programme covering small business administration and sales, along with product hygiene and preservation techniques. Complementing their years of practical experience, the project equipped them to make more informed business decisions. 

Where vendors once faced precarious conditions and struggled to keep fish fresh long enough to reach buyers, they are now ready to lead growing small-scale enterprises capable of tapping into formal markets. The area's vendors now see themselves not as informal traders but as entrepreneurs on the road to building a more prosperous future. 

The fish vendors are among the more than 23,000 participants who have benefited from I-BE's interventions since it began, a number expected to nearly quintuple by 2028. As Haiti continues to confront economic uncertainty, climate shocks and insecurity, the project is showing how the blue economy can lay the foundation for more resilient coastal communities. 

Thanks to the training, Nixon manages his business better and has learned how to preserve products. © IFAD/Galvany Nicolas

Story published by IFAD: In rural Haiti, the blue economy keeps rural communities afloat amid crisis