Announcing Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation and Sustainability in the Blue Economy

For immediate release
SYDNEY, 4 APRIL 2024

Ocean Impact Organisation and Blue Economy CRC Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation and Sustainability in the Blue Economy

Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) and the Blue Economy CRC (BECRC) have today unveiled a strategic partnership aimed at consolidating efforts to drive innovation in offshore aquaculture and renewable energy production. The collaboration – between OIO based in Sydney and BECRC headquartered in Tasmania – signals a shared dedication to cultivating connections between research, science, and technology solutions.

The partnership is a mutual commitment to bridging the gap between scientific research and practical innovation, ensuring that advancements within offshore aquaculture and renewable energy sectors are not confined to theory but find real-world applications.

*BECRC’s Chair Greg Johannes, OIO’s Innovation Programs Manager Elisa-Marie Dumas, and BECRC’s Director of Blue Policy & Planning Angela Williamson.*

Taking a systems thinking approach, this collaborative effort aims to unite key stakeholder groups and enhance impact across diverse networks. BECRC will leverage their expertise to drive tangible outcomes by fostering dialogue and collaboration among research communities, scientific experts, and industry stakeholders. In parallel, OIO will activate its researchers to engage with innovation and investment networks, facilitating seamless integration of knowledge into actionable solutions.

Aquaculture accounts for around 50% of the world’s seafood production, with the value of Australia’s industry being $2.3bn.

“Ocean Impact Organisation CEO Nick Chiarelli said, ‘A growing and environmentally sustainable aquaculture industry is essential to satisfy the world’s increasing demand for protein, and to take pressure off wild catch fisheries. By partnering with the Blue Economy CRC we hope to increase the rate of innovation development and further position Australia as a sustainable aquaculture and blue economy leader.’”

*Angela Williamson speaking at a BECRC immersion tour in Tasmania.*

“‘We’re excited by the opportunity to partner with Ocean Impact Organisation,’ said Greg Johannes, Chair of the Blue Economy CRC. ‘Working together we can connect academic research with real-world application and support the sort of innovation that will be necessary to grow Australia’s blue economy in a sustainable way.’”

*Greg Johannes and Elisa-Marie Dumas at a BECRC immersion tour in Tasmania.*

Within the framework of the partnership, Ocean Impact Organisation will explore avenues to showcase BECRC's research projects and case studies, deliver innovation programs to support BECRC's PhD students, and forge connections between OIO alumni and BECRC's industry partners. Likewise, BECRC will serve as a conduit, linking OIO alumni with marine science institutes, offering mentorship on navigating policy frameworks, and facilitating connections between potential commercial opportunities seeking investment and OIO's expansive global network.

This partnership represents a united effort to maximise research and innovation, driving initiatives set to revolutionise ocean food security systems. As OIO and BECRC embark on this journey, they set a precedent for transformative change, shaping sustainable solutions for the oceans and beyond.

“‘We are thrilled to embark on this journey of collaboration with the Blue Economy CRC,’ said Elisa-Marie Dumas, Head of Programs at OIO. ‘This partnership opens up a world of possibilities for knowledge exchange and collaboration within the Australian blue economy sector. By aligning our expertise in ocean innovation and investment with BECRC’s research capabilities, we can facilitate the integration of ocean industries to produce sustainable and nutritious food powered by renewable energy as the blueprint of the future.’”

For press enquiries please contact:

**Tim Silverwood**
Head of Marketing and Community
info@ocean-impact.org

About OIO

Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) helps startups make their greatest impact through funding and growth opportunities. Headquartered in Australia with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region, our commercialisation programs and support initiatives accelerate the best solutions to transform ocean health. OIO has supported 99 startups and entrepreneurs since launching in 2020 (to Dec 2023) and has an ambitious goal to facilitate $100M of funding for ocean-related ventures. OIO’s initiatives and cohort-based programs include the Ocean Impact Pitchfest, the Ocean Impact Accelerator Program, the Ocean Impact Ideation Program, INNOVOCEAN, and the Ocean Impact Podcast. At the forefront of the ocean health innovation ecosystem, OIO is passionately driving impact and investment into the rapidly emerging sustainable blue economy.

About BECRC

Established in 2019, the Blue Economy CRC is an independent not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and is a Cooperative Research Centre under the Australian Government CRC Program. With a 10-year life, the Blue Economy CRC, together with 44 industry, government and research partners from ten countries, will collaborate to drive innovation and sustainability in Australia's blue economy through targeted research and training initiatives in aquaculture, marine renewable energy, maritime engineering, environmental assessments and policy and regulation. BECRC was founded to undertake industry-focused research and training in emerging ocean industries such as offshore aquaculture and renewable energy production.