By Nathan Crabbe, The Invading Sea
A new office being established at Florida Atlantic University aims to capitalize on the economic benefits of Florida’s ocean and coastal resources.
Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law an education bill (HB 1285) that includes the creation of the Office of Ocean Economy. Housed at FAU, the office is tasked with connecting “the state’s ocean and coastal resources to economic development strategies that grow, enhance, or contribute to the ocean economy.”
These strategies include business recruitment, research, workforce training and other ways to promote ocean and coastal industries. The law calls for the office to foster collaboration between Florida’s universities, while helping to turn technology developed at these institutions into commercial goods and services.
“Water, in all its forms, is the backbone of Florida’s economy,” said Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, in a statement. “This bill is a great step towards realizing the economic and business opportunities from the transformational research being done across Florida’s research institutions, which will foster long-term economic growth and development for our state.”
LaMarca and Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton, co-sponsored legislation that would have created a similar Office of the Blue Economy, which Skidmore also introduced in previous sessions. Skidmore said in a statement that the United Nations designated 2021 through 2030 as a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and that “Florida answered the call” by establishing the office.
“I am elated that we have taken this first step toward making Florida the premier internationally recognized destination for research and innovation relating to what is known globally as the blue economy,” she said.
LaMarca said during committee hearings that Florida’s 8,436 miles of coastline, the second-longest in the U.S., make the state the ideal place for such an endeavor. The law calls for the office to focus on sustainable practices benefiting the long-term outlook of ocean and coastal industries including aquaculture, commercial diving, marinas, outdoor recreational activities, shipyards and tourism.
Starting next year, the office will be required to produce an annual report on the economic benefits of the office and the development of emerging industries in the ocean economy. Skidmore said during committee hearings that the office will help expand efforts underway in South Florida to support research and related startups through organizations such as the Marine Research Hub and Ocean Exchange.
“That’s the pipeline that the state of Florida needs to replicate,” she said.
Nathan Crabbe is editor of The Invading Sea, which is managed by Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Environmental Studies and receives support from the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Banner image: Waves on the sand in Juno Beach (iStock image)
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