growing WA as the leading Blue economy in the Indian Ocean by 2030

State of the Blue Economy (2021)

The second 'State of the Blue Economy Forum' was convened in Fremantle in December 2021 by partners including For Blue, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, City of Fremantle, City of Cockburn and Fremantle Chamber of Commerce.

The State of the Blue Economy is the premiere annual forum for discussing that state and trends and collaborating on priorities towards the vision of WA being the leading ‘blue’ economy in the Indian Ocean by 2030.

The focus is on aligning growth in our ocean economy, industries and companies with conserving and restoring healthy ocean ecology.

The themes and priorities this year differed from 2020. We partially attribute the change to the participants and format, but primarily to the significant shifts in state, trends and awareness of the challenge and opportunities in our ocean.

ACCESS 2021 FORUM REPORT

State of the Blue Economy (2020)

The inaugural 'State of the Blue Economy Forum' was convened in Fremantle on 3rd December 2020 by partners including For Blue, City of Fremantle and Fremantle Chamber of Commerce.

Intended as a foundational event - the first time the ‘Blue Economy’ community has been brought together - it attracted more than one hundred participants representing diverse sectors and contributing deep industry expertise.

The forum was considered timely, well-facilitated and discussions were energised, optimistic and rich. There was a strong resonance with the vision of WA looking beyond our boundaries, and being the leading Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean.

Key themes from the discussions include: careful growth, coordinated governance, sustainable development, systemic risk management, technological innovation and infrastructure investment.

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For Blue Report (2019)

This 'phase 1' report draws on hundreds of sources and provides an overview of the growth potential of WA's Blue Economy. It highlights opportunities for WA institutions to enrich ocean health and human wealth across the Indian Ocean.

The opportunities described in the report are relevant to audiences who are willing to act immediately, looking internationally, and thinking strategically.

The report starts with observations from the interacting domains of human conceptions and relations, oceanographic and ecological systems, and industrial and economic activities. Observing the dynamics and effects within each of those domains identified conflicts, unresolved tensions, gaps, and inviting opportunities. Interviews, research, analysis and inquiry resulted in a range of relevant, significant and important propositions.

The report presents nine propositions along with the observations that gave rise to them, actions to advance them, and examples of inspiring initiatives. Common themes across the propositions include: finding our opportunities in others' challenges, growing new industries from existing world-class capabilities, and intending that we, others, and our oceans all benefit from their enaction.

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Prospectus (2020)

The Facing our Future - Prospectus drew on input from one hundred and twenty stakeholders to present a vision, focus and five areas of action. The projected benefits of pursuing this vision include an additional $25 billion Gross State Product and creating 50,000 more jobs by 2030.

In 2020, a prospectus entitled Facing our Future was developed to present a vision, focus and actions to advance WA as a leader in the Indian Ocean in the next decade.

The Prospectus is based on the For Blue - Phase 1 Report and included the engagement of more than one hundred and twenty people from leading institutions. The Prospectus summarises the current global ocean situation, WA's unique opportunities, nine focus areas and five 'elements' as integrated initiatives that can realise the vision.

The initiatives are practical, necessary to realise the vision, based on precedents, and offer good return on investment.

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Blue Economy Industry Clusters

The For Blue Report - phase 1 put forward nine propositions, each being a potential theme for an industry 'cluster'. Each cluster represents the intersection of WA's unique assets, global trends, and opportunities to lead in the Indian Ocean.

Each area of opportunity or 'proposition' identified as a 'cluster' included aggregated community, industry, academic and government activity.

In each cluster Western Australian institution have strong local capability and clear, accessible opportunities to work with partners and customers across the Indian Ocean.

You can explore each of the clusters with a summary description, inspirational examples of existing initiatives, and further activities to realise the opportunities.

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