Established in 2019, Blue Economy CRC is an independent not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and is a Cooperative Research Centre under the Australian Government’s CRC Program.
With a 10-year life, the Blue Economy CRC brings together 43 industry, government, and research partners from ten countries with expertise in aquaculture, marine renewable energy, maritime engineering, environmental assessments and policy and regulation.
The opportunities to grow the blue economy are vast.
Consumers are increasingly focused on food and energy security, sustainability, and
provenance. Already, we are seeing strong international demand for offshore renewable energy and for sustainably farmed offshore aquaculture.
Taken together, Australia and New Zealand have an Exclusive Economic Zone of over 14
million square kilometres of well managed clean oceans that provide enormous potential
to increase seafood and renewable energy production sustainably.
Realising this potential requires moving aquaculture and renewable energy systems offshore into high quality but remote and more exposed high-energy operating environments. This requires the development of new more robust structures, technologies and production
systems that require less maintenance with increased autonomation.
They will need to withstand both regular and extreme weather events while being safely and economically managed. Consequently, these Blue Economy industries of the future will require a new and highly skilled workforce.
The Blue Economy CRC has been established to address these challenges and to facilitate a step change in the economic value of Australia’s new Blue Economy industries.
OUR PURPOSE
To perform world class, collaborative, industry focused research and training that underpins the growth of the Blue Economy through increased offshore sustainable aquaculture and renewable energy production.
OUR VISION
Australia’s Blue Economy industries in offshore sustainable seafood and collocated renewable energy are globally competitive, at the forefront of innovation and are underpinned by a robust environmental planning and management framework which consumers trust and value.
“Australia’s vast oceans are the heritage, heart and economic future of our country. The value of this marine estate to the homes, work, play, energy, food, safety and security of all Australians is matched only by the enormous economic and environmental wealth that this national asset affords us.”
National Marine Science Plan 2015-2025 – Driving the development of Australia’s blue economy
OUR APPROACH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Our research is industry led, world-class, internationally connected and focussed on growing Australia’s Blue Economy.
ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT
Our Partners are engaged. We deliver on our commitments. We have a focus on growing our contribution base.
ADOPTION & COMMERCIALISATION
ADOPTION & COMMERCIALISATION
We deliver new and useful knowledge with commercial impact and create industry relevant intellectual property and facilitate its commercialisation by our partners.
CAPABILITY & CAPACITY BUILDING
CAPABILITY & CAPACITY BUILDING
Our education and training program is developing a skilled workforce designed to support the Blue Economy.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We pursue the highest standards of governance and management, including development of capacity and capability, embracing diversity and equal opportunity.
