The oceans play a vital role in sustainability discussions, either due to the urgent need to protect them or the economic opportunities they offer. Concepts like the Blue Economy and Blue Growth highlight efforts to harness ocean resources, but they often prioritize economic gains over social and environmental needs. This focus risks deepening inequalities, especially for coastal communities like small-scale fishers, who frequently face the downsides of these policies.

In response, the idea of Blue Justice has emerged, advocating for fair and inclusive ocean governance. It emphasizes recognizing the rights of local communities, ensuring their participation in decision-making, and distributing benefits equitably. However, these principles are not always reflected in practice. Even conservation efforts, such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), can unintentionally harm local livelihoods by imposing restrictions without involving affected communities. This phenomenon, known as “blue grabbing,” concentrates power and wealth while marginalizing vulnerable groups.

To address these challenges, the concept of Just Transformation calls for policies that balance environmental sustainability with social justice, ensuring that efforts to protect ecosystems do not create new inequalities or ignore the causes of unsustainable practices.

Europe’s Natura 2000 network of protected sites illustrates these complexities. Although designed to balance conservation with economic and cultural interests, implementation varies widely. In Romania, where Natura 2000 marine sites face conflicts between fishing and conservation, community participation has been limited, raising questions about their social impacts.

By examining cases like Romania’s Natura 2000 sites, we can explore whether marine conservation initiatives truly support Blue Justice. These insights can guide global efforts to create policies that are both socially equitable and environmentally sustainable, ensuring oceans benefit everyone while safeguarding their future.