The global blue economy is forecasted to reach a value of $3 trillion (USD) by 2030. Canada’s ocean industries stand to benefit greatly from this growth. To help capture an inclusive, pan-Canadian picture of the private enterprise, research and educational institutions, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders in this country’s ocean economy, the Ocean Technology Alliance Canada (OTAC) with delivery partner OceansAdvance, is leading the development of a digital ocean asset map and database.

“The forecasted growth in the global blue economy represents great opportunity for our country and the Government of Canada is working hard to ensure we are not just part of that growth, but that we lead it. Our investment in Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and in projects like the Ocean Technology Alliance Canada’s inclusive, digital, pan-Canadian asset map, help strengthen our ocean capacity and set us up for continued success at home and abroad.”

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Maps are vital tools in our every day lives. From navigating our streets to sailing our seas, they allow us to discover new things and places, and to make connections. This initiative will not only allow Canadians to search valuable information about our country’s ocean sectors, it will also allow international stakeholders to do the same. This opens up unlimited potential for global partnerships and investments, further strengthening the world’s ocean economy and Canada’s place in it.”

- The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South—Mount Pearl

“The Ocean Technology Alliance Canada is excited to partner with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster to drive the development of an ocean-focused Canadian asset map and database that will represent the collective strengths and capabilities of our industry’s ocean innovation ecosystem. This resource, while demonstrating the depth and breadth of our sector, will connect industry, research and academic partners across the country and around the world. We look forward to reaching out to partners across Canada to ensure everyone in the ocean space has an opportunity to participate in this important initiative.”

- Cathy Hogan, Executive Director, OceansAdvance, on behalf of OTAC

• OTAC was created by the regional ocean technology associations in Canada to help grow the economic capacity of Canada’s ocean technology sector for the benefit of sector companies and affiliated organizations. Its mandate is to create an ocean brand for Canada.

• OTAC members are: OceansAdvance; the Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia (OCTNS); Technopole Maritime du Quebec (TMQ); Ocean Networks Canada (ONC); and the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI).

• Over 50 per cent of Canada’s $30 billion ocean economy is anchored in Atlantic Canada and our ocean industries account for over one-third of all ocean-related jobs in Canada. This project is an example of collaborative partnership between non-government organizations and the Ocean Supercluster to showcase Canada’s ocean capacity.

• Canadian ocean stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the creation of this asset map to ensure the final product is an inclusive, comprehensive database of Canada’s ocean partners, capabilities, capacity and contacts.

• The Government of Canada is investing $250,000 in this project through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.

• The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program continues to build on the objectives of Government’s Innovation and Skills Plan.

Paul McGrath
Director of Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca

Cathy Hogan
Executive Director
OceansAdvance
709-738-7059
Cathy.Hogan@oceansadvance.net