Human value of the ocean has developed over time as a transport system, a trove of resources (food, energy, minerals) and an endless source of wonderment. It is not sustainable to endlessly exploit and monetize this resource. Enter the New Blue Economy. The New Blue Economy is a knowledge-based economy, looking to the sea not just for extraction of material goods, but for data and information to address societal challenges and inspire their solutions. (Spinrad 2016)

This special session, The New Blue Economy: What is it, why should I care, and how do I engage? will discuss the concept and our current opportunity to grow the New Blue Economy by design and not by default. The session will focus on the identification of resources and development of new capabilities.

The New Blue Economy special session will be moderated by Dr. Rick Spinrad and Liesl Hotaling, co-editors of “Preparing the workforce for the New Blue Economy”. The 90 minute three-part session will focus first on two rounds of lightning talks and a discussion session:

Part I – What is it? Why should I care?

• Ralph Rayner – What is the economic outlook for this sector?
• Wendy Watson-Wright – How are ocean observations integral to the New Blu Economy?
• Barb Kirkpatrick – How could predictions of events like Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) change?
• Tim Gallaudet – What is the impact on fleet operations?
• Josh Kohut – How could fisheries change?

Part II – How do I engage?

• Hans van Sumeren – How to best prepare all the needed technicians?
• Deidre Gibson – What is the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the education of our next generation?
• Jim Hanlon – How can we engage industry in these efforts?
• Strategies for investment

Part III – Discussion – Where do we go from here?

The objectives for the special session are to not only describe the New Blue Economy, but to present compelling instances and applications of ocean data/information, to present opportunities for engagement and to encourage a broader discussion of the development of the New Blue Economy.