Democratic representative Kelly Skidmore urges more investment and focus on the so-called “blue economy” in Florida, arguing that the state should become a world leader in new technologies.
“The blue economy is the sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and the health of marine ecosystems in areas such as renewable energy, fisheries, maritime transport, recreation and tourism,” Skidmore said during a panel discussion late Monday.
“With the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee and a nationwide network of rivers, estuaries, mangroves and springs – from Pensacola to Key West – Florida’s dependence on water cannot be overstated.”
Meet on Monday was another in a series of Panel discussions with experts Skidmore hosted during summer. During the conversation, Michael Jones, President of TMA BlueTech in San Diego, emphasized investment and research related to the blue economy.
“We believe that we have cut off life as we know it on earth without understanding the ocean and water and finding ways to deal with them sustainably,” argued Jones. “It’s nothing less than that.”
Ava Ibanez, Maritime Policy Fellow at the National caucus of environmental legislators in Austin, called Kelp Farming one of the blue economy areas with the greatest potential.
“Seaweed growing has the potential to become a source of regenerative marine agriculture, but then there is also the potential of seaweed growing for coastal protection and restoration,” Ibanez said.
The algae can be grown and bred in a similar way to other land cultures. Proponents also say that growing kelp can promote biodiversity in the ocean and even sequester carbon, which can help mitigate the negative effects of climate change. However, more research needs to be done in these areas to determine the negative effects that algae growth could have.
Jones’ group, TMA BlueTech, is focused on technological advances in the blue economy.
“Blue-tech clusters are crucial to understand the problems that we humans have unfortunately created and to find solutions, be it plastic or red tides or better and deeper understanding of the weather,” he said on Monday .
Of course, the blue economy has something to do with the green economy, since both deal with sustainability.
“They absolutely overlap,” said Judith Underwood, president and founder of the Blue Institute in Cape Cod.
“The green economy was really created to address the emissions problems we have around the world and the climate problems. But as development progresses, there is a much better understanding of how the ocean and our water systems actually interact with the problems of climate change. “
Blue economy initiatives also go beyond just sustainability and include tourism, recreation, transportation, and other commercial activities. With Florida, which has it second most coastline from every state in the US there are certainly many options here. But Ibanez Funding continues to play a key role in enhancing the subject and promoting new technologies.
“As we know, money drives activity and action,” Ibanez said. “So without it, there are only limited options that people can do, be it government or private.”
Skidmore also cited her work Ocean Exchange to help parties that need them.
“Ocean Exchange is a company that reviews startups and financially awards them,” said Skidmore. “Now we have this pipeline of academic research and business development and start-up funding.”
This is important; As Skidmore said, good work can be buried without pushing for visibility and dissemination.
“Researchers and academic institutions don’t think about commercialization,” said Skidmore. “It’s great to have this research. But if it’s on a shelf, it doesn’t actually cure cancer. You have to move it to the college of pharmacology at the next institution. “