Florida has just launched the Office of Ocean Economy to complement its three main sources of income: agriculture, real estate, and tourism. This new division aims to make the state a major player in the race for the « blue economy, » which is already well underway in other states and countries.
This is a bill designed to link the points of sustainable practices related to the sea in Florida’s economy, with the aim of benefiting the population.
Part of this development is already underway here in South Florida, and supporters hope their contribution to the initiative will make the Sunshine State a global leader in water-focused innovation.
Democratic Representative Kelly Skidmore from Boca Raton, Republican Representative Chip LaMarca from Lighthouse Point, and State Senator Jason Pizzo, a Democrat from Sunny Isles Beach, co-sponsored the bill. They explain that the new economic office is tasked with connecting ocean resources to the state’s economic development by focusing on sustainable practices and linking Florida’s universities to transform innovative technologies into functioning businesses. This is intended to develop a pipeline for innovation to be commercialized and funded.
They hope this will help make the state known globally as a leader in the ocean economy. Every August, the office will be required to report on the economic benefits generated by the initiative, as well as emerging innovations in the field.
The Sun Sentinel reports Representative LaMarca’s statement during a recent Florida Ocean Alliance event at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale: “We need the next Gatorade to come from the ocean.” This refers to researchers at the University of Florida, who in 1965 developed the Gatorade sports drink after they feared athletes at the University of Florida were sweating out too many electrolytes. This led to the creation of the famous beverage and, by extension, a highly lucrative industry.
The Vision
At the heart of the initiative is the fact that Florida is on the front lines of climate change and rising sea levels. As the region develops solutions, these have the potential to be transformed into businesses that the rest of the world can use.
The state has 8,000 miles of coastline, and examples of ocean economy sectors include aquaculture, commercial fishing, and recreation (such as scuba diving businesses). Additionally, the office will be able to connect with high-level research institutions that are also working on solutions to climate change and exploring tidal and Gulf Stream energy.
Florida is not the only state in the country entering the blue economy race. It competes with Rhode Island, the city of San Diego, Mississippi, and several institutes around Boston.
Globally, Denmark, Portugal, Scotland, and Norway “are really dominating this field. We have some catching up to do,” says Colin Polsky, founding director of the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
In 10 years, an intellectual hub is envisioned for the benefit of the planet.
Source: le soleil de la floride
