In Portugal’s Sado Estuary, oyster farmer António Correia faces a common problem. His thriving shellfish farm is struggling to find workers, especially young ones. “Unfortunately for our industry, young people have less and less of a connection with nature and outdoor work,” he explains. “I personally find it extremely rewarding, but we see this attitude less and less in young people.” 

The challenge echoes across Europe’s blue economy sector, which employs 3.5 million people but needs more workers to sustain its growth. From fish farming to coastal tourism, many marine businesses face persistent employment gaps.

Helping bridge that gap is “Turning Blue,” an EU-funded initiative running until August 2026 across five countries: Portugal, the Netherlands, Romania, Cyprus and Italy. The project connects young prison inmates with opportunities in marine industries.

Overcoming stigmas

“We see ‘Turning Blue’ as a win-win project,” says Rita Lourenço, who leads the initiative at social innovation cooperative Aproximar. “It’s a win for the justice system because employment is key to breaking the cycle of reoffending. And it’s a win for the blue economy, which needs workers and is growing.”

At Portugal’s only youth prison in Leiria, where young men aged 16–25 serve their sentences, the project offers a glimmer of hope. Through virtual-reality experiences, presentations, and meetings with industry professionals, inmates explore various career paths in the marine sector. 

“When we come out, getting a job is going to be complicated because we’ve been in prison. People will judge us for what we did, not for who we are,” shares one participant. Turning Blue aims to overcome such stigma through mentoring, training, and direct links to employers.

Some businesses in the sector are cooperating with the project, embracing its approach.

“Everyone deserves a second chance”

SEAentia, an innovative fish farming startup in Peniche, Portugal, is preparing to increase its staff numbers sixfold — from 6 to 30 — over the next two years. Growing meagre using recirculated seawater in indoor tanks, they plan to expand from a pilot system to a commercial-scale facility, aiming to produce 5,000 tonnes of fish annually by 2030. While their operation requires some skilled technical workers, the growing inland aquaculture sector is also creating opportunities for entry-level positions in fish processing, packaging, and sales – jobs that could be open to young former inmates. 

Back at the Sado Estuary, António Correia has already hired several former prisoners and remains open to employing more. “Everyone deserves a second chance,” he says. “People who want to turn their lives around and who’ve been through hard times might actually value the opportunity more.” 

The blue economy offers particular promise for rehabilitation with its diverse job opportunities. “The sector has many hands-on jobs in fishing, aquaculture, and tourism that don’t require high qualifications,” explains Lourenço. “That’s why we think these jobs could be suitable for these young people.”

With nearly 1.5 million people currently in European prisons, initiatives like “Turning Blue” could help address both labour shortages and social reintegration. Innovation in recruitment and training can support the sustainable growth of Europe’s marine industries while creating opportunities for those who need them most – offering not just jobs, but chances for genuine fresh starts.