Alerts
SHOWING 7 RESULTS
Showing matches for "blue economy"
Supporting BC's Economy
Overview
# The ocean is vital to British Columbia's economy Ocean-oriented activities in British Columbia account for eight per cent of B.C.'s jobs and seven per cent of the province’s GDP. Ocean sector revenues and government/not-for-profit ocean-oriented expenditures in B.C. represent $11.6 billion annually. Corresponding direct economic impacts included $5.76 billion in GDP, $4.2 billion in wages, salaries and benefits, and over 80,000 person-years of employment FTEs. ## A world-leading asset for the province The University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) manages the VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada cabled ocean networks as a world-leading ocean observatory, providing global access to continuous sea floor data in real time, via the Internet. The ONC Observatory is the research engine that supports vital components of B.C.’s ocean related economy—a “cornerstone” of technology as stated by Seaspan in its bid for federal shipbuilding contracts. ## A research engine helping to generate jobs and wealth for BC Leveraging the leading-edge technology and innovative research from VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada, the ONC Observatory is helping drive the development of international commercial opportunities for businesses in ocean technology and marine services. In partnership with B.C. companies, the Observatory has active proposals with organizations in Korea, Italy, Brazil, Turkey, Atlantic Canada and the Arctic. Working with industry, ONC has also been responsible for opening doors to over $110M of ocean observing opportunities for B.C.-based companies such as: [OceanWorks International](http://www.oceanworks.com/) (Burnaby B.C.) – Subsea technology designed in collaboration with ONC is now serving a growing international market. Ocean observatory projects now account for up to 40 per cent of OceanWorks’ current and future revenue plans.
[ASL](http://www.aslenv.com/) (Sidney B.C.) and Rockland Scientific (Victoria B.C.) – These highly successful instrument technology companies have used ONC to improve product performance and aid global sales.
Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility-CSSF (Saanich B.C.) –Building upon work with the VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada cabled undersea networks, the CSSF research submersible ROPOS today assists scientists around the world with pioneering deep-sea research. Ocean observatory projects now account for 80 per cent of CSSF current and future revenue plans. ## Projected economic impacts on BC communities A recent Vancouver Board of Trade Study offers the following five-year economic projections for the economic impacts of the Observatory: - 600 person years of employment - $61 million contribution to GDP - $83 million revenue generation by B.C. companies - Multi-million dollar value of the data products used for managing resources, mitigating hazards, and protecting and sustaining BC communities ## Protecting and sustaining BC communities ONC serves as a unique asset for the Province to address high priority ocean issues related to hazard mitigation, resource management, safety and security, all of which have huge economic consequences. The Observatory’s leading edge research in tsunami detection will improve coastal resilience in BC’s coastal communities, which are a major economic driver for the tourism sector. Increasingly, there is a need for ocean observing systems to protect the marine environment and monitor major marine industry sectors such as oil and gas, ocean renewable energy, port and coastal security, marine transportation, aquaculture, and fisheries. ONC anticipates over $50 million in revenue for B.C. companies in environmental monitoring and ocean resource exploration. ## Reference
Ocean Tech Alliance Canada: A National Voice for the Blue Economy
Overview
As one of Canada’s 20 [Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR)](http://www.nce-rce.gc.ca/Programs-Programmes/CECR-CECR/Index_eng.asp), Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) works to bridge the challenging gap between innovation and commercialization. One of ONC's goals as a Centre of Excellence is to strengthen domestic collaboration nationally. To meet this objective, [in 2012 ONC’s Innovation Centre facilitated the creation of the Ocean Technology Alliance Canada](https://www.oceannetworks.ca/news-and-stories/stories/onccee-facilitates-creation-of-national-ocean-technology-alliance/) (OTAC), linking Canada's regional associations to help grow the economic capacity of Canada’s ocean technology sector. In December 2016, OTAC was formally incorporated as a national association for the ocean technology sector. In August 2017, a [new OTAC website](http://oceantechalliance.ca/) was launched to take this Canada-wide blue economy collaboration to the next level. OTAC represents 350 companies and organizations across Canada through regional associations: the Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia, OceansAdvance, Technopole Maritime du Quebec and the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries, and the national ONC Innovation Centre Industry Network.
Building TRUST to be FAIR: data stewardship for a sustainable ocean economy
Overview
Our society’s dependence on digital data is growing exponentially, along with our need to trust how and where that information is being managed and preserved. While consensus on ‘good’ data management and stewardship is beginning to develop and evolve, it demands constant diligence and on-going practice to keep up with the 24/7 demands of big data. At this critical time, Canada is developing national infrastructure and services and best practices for research data management. These initiatives include open access to data, achieving FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data and the launch of the [CoreTrustSeal](https://www.coretrustseal.org/about/) certification process for data repositories—places where large amounts of data are stored. Ocean Networks Canada’s (ONC) Oceans 2.0 is one such repository, managing and archiving a daily firehose of 280 gigabytes of free, open, continuous, real-time ocean data from over 9000 sensors on all three coasts (Figure 1).
Expert Q&A on Canada’s growing blue economy
Overview
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA EXPERT Q&A
February 9, 2021 The urgent need to protect our warming planet is stimulating the next great wave of economic innovation. Fuelled by scientific evidence, coordinated efforts and transformative action, Canada has joined other nations in developing a roadmap to a “blue economy,” which strikes a balance between economic growth and sustainability. Kate Moran, president and chief executive officer of Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), an initiative of the University of Victoria, explains why Canada is well-positioned for success to show cooperative leadership in the global blue economy through ocean intelligence and progressive, ocean-based industries and programs. Moran is speaking at this week’s annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The event there marks the beginning of ONC’s pivotal role 15 years ago providing an interactive real-time window into the world’s understanding of the ocean. **Q. What is required to build a sustainable blue economy in Canada?** A. A sustainable blue economy in Canada can be built through innovative ocean data analytics, ecosystem-based fisheries management and renewable energy systems. It will be backed by significant, coordinated investment in coastal and maritime tourism, resource exploration, shipbuilding and new technology development to support emerging ocean-based industries such as marine biotech and bioprospecting. Long-term success will depend on smart public policy, support for research, and continued ocean sector investments to ensure that we maximize the efforts of global partnerships. We already have the seeds of this mission-oriented approach with ONC on the Pacific Coast and the Ocean Supercluster on the Atlantic Coast. **Q. What role does ocean intelligence play in addressing the global climate crisis?** A. We all know the state of the ocean is an important indicator of the overall health of our planet. Ocean observation shows undeniable evidence of a rapidly changing climate, which means we must act swiftly using all the information, knowledge and resources we have available. When we pair ocean observation data with scientific knowledge, we begin to unlock the astonishing potential of ocean intelligence. Ocean intelligence presents the opportunity to develop new technologies that address climate change, as well as the tools to measure if and how our efforts are making a difference. **Q. How can we make sure that our scientific findings are translated into real-world applications to, for example, influence policy?** A. The short answer is to ensure we take important scientific findings and make them relevant to those who make the big decisions that impact our climate. ONC is a great example, as we began primarily as a science facility 15 years ago and expanded into developing applications for society and industry. We know that ocean intelligence is an essential source of information that, when in the right hands, can guide coastal communities, researchers, policymakers and governments. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, we can ensure that our findings are utilized to inform science-backed decision-making about our future. **Q. What does a successful blue economy look like now and in the future?** A. Canada has great potential for a sustainable blue economy, but only if we act with urgency to tackle these critical issues of our time. A mission-oriented approach with common goals is essential. Our strategy should start with wide consultation across Canada’s provinces and territories, especially with Indigenous Peoples, and should outline a vision for Canada’s ocean-related sectors that supports this broader goal. Envisioning the blue economy of the future starts with development of new technology, specifically, solutions for climate change. **Q. Feb. 11 marks the International Day of Women in Science. Why is it important to have more women working in science-related fields?** A. Long-standing gender stereotypes are pushing women and girls away from science-related fields, and there is still work to be done to achieve full and equal access to and participation in the sciences. At Ocean Networks Canada, we celebrate and empower women and girls who are leading scientific innovation and we call for action to remove the barriers that hold them back. A more innovative society functions well, takes care of our planet, and finds new and better ways to do things. It inspires scientific and technological breakthroughs and brings about exciting new opportunities for economic development. This month, we are celebrating diversity through the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science and Black History Month. Diversity in science is vital for a more innovative society. Read the University of Victoria advisory [here](https://www.uvic.ca/news/media/2021+blue-economy-katemoran+expert-advisory). #### Media contacts:
Ocean Networks Canada Communications at onc-comms@uvic.ca
Jennifer Kwan (University Communications & Marketing) at 250-721-7641 or jenniferkwan@uvic.ca
Sweet 16, #ONC15 story map and 2030 Strategic Plan
Overview
On 8th February 2022, we’re celebrating Ocean Networks Canada’s (ONC) 16th birthday with a recap of our 15th anniversary achievements, and a look forward to what’s next for ONC, ocean observing, the blue economy and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021-2030.
ONC featured as global leader in World Ocean Council docuseries
Overview
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is one of 30 pioneers and change ambassadors who are featured in a global docuseries for charting new paths towards a healthy and sustainable ocean. The nine-minute film is now live on World Ocean Day, June 8. [Ocean Titans](https://www.theoceantitans.com/) is an official [World Ocean Council series](https://www.theoceantitans.com/about/) that is hosted and distributed by [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/brandfeature/special-interest-films/ocean-titans) internationally. With a focus on the ocean dimension of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals (UN SDGs), the series invites business leaders to share their vision, actions and solutions for ocean stewardship and a sustainable blue economy during the current UN Ocean Decade (2021-2030).
Canada must invest in the blue economy or that ship may sail without us
Overview
*Published on [TheFutureEconomy.ca](https://thefutureeconomy.ca/op-eds/canada-must-invest-in-the-blue-economy-or-that-ship-may-sail-without-us/) October 4, 2024.* Removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is as essential to planetary health as drastically reducing emissions, and our oceans offer the most promising prospects. Covering 71% of Earth’s surface, the ocean is already doing the heavy lifting when it comes to countering the effects of global warming, absorbing [30% of the CO2](https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-acidification) and 90% of the heat. Those natural capabilities can be further enhanced by emerging technologies that aim to store atmospheric carbon, such as kelp farms that draw down CO2 to the permanent storage of [captured carbon in the sub-seafloor](https://solidcarbon.ca/). Canada is in an ideal position geographically and scientifically to both advance new technologies and become a leader in [the Blue Economy](https://www.un.org/regularprocess/sites/www.un.org.regularprocess/files/rok_part_2.pdf), whose value globally could reach [$3 trillion USD by 2030](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-ocean-economy-in-2030_9789264251724-en.html), according to pre-COVID figures from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. But while this country has the world’s longest coastline at [202,080 kilometres](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/coastline/), which is roughly 10 times longer than that of the US coastline, Canada hasn’t kept up with investment in marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) innovation. And if we don’t dive in quickly, we’re going to be left behind, to the detriment of both the environment and our economy. # Ocean Covers Most of the Planet, Offers the Most Carbon Solutions
Stay up to date with ONC
Subscribe
Ocean-Climate Building University of Victoria
#100, 2474 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8N 1V8
info@oceannetworks.ca+1 (250) 472-5400
Marine Technology Centre University of Victoria
#106, 9865 West Saanich Road, North Saanich, BC, Canada, V8L 5Y8
info@oceannetworks.ca+1 (250) 472-5400

@ 2025 Ocean Networks Canada. All rights reserved.