Letter from Florida Atlantic President
Few places in the world are as closely tied to the ocean as Florida. From our working waterfronts and bustling ports to fishing, tourism and recreation, the ocean is not just a natural asset; it is a cornerstone of our state’s economy and identity.
Recognizing this, Florida Atlantic University is proud to serve as the home of the state’s new Office of Ocean Economy, a state-supported effort to better understand, support and grow the ocean- and coastal-based industries that drive jobs, investment and innovation across our state.
The ocean economy is vast, diverse and full of opportunity. It encompasses sectors like maritime transportation, coastal construction, seafood production, ocean technology and so much more. But like any major economic engine, it requires sound data, thoughtful planning, and coordination among the private sector, academic institutions, non-government partners, investors and government. That’s where the Office of Ocean Economy comes in.
This office exists to catalyze sustainable growth in Florida’s ocean economy, helping ensure that our natural resources continue to fuel job creation, business expansion and long-term prosperity. Its work is grounded in common-sense principles: advancing smart investment, reducing risk to coastal infrastructure and supporting industries that make Florida competitive nationally and globally.
Florida has long benefited from the strength of its coastal geography and maritime resources. Now, with the Office of Ocean Economy, we have a strategic platform to harness those assets intelligently, responsibly and in a way that delivers measurable returns for Florida families, workers and businesses.
We are grateful to the State of Florida for its support and vision and we look forward to working alongside our partners to cultivate an ocean economy that delivers opportunity, security and prosperity for every Floridian.
Sincerely,
Adam Hasner
President, Florida Atlantic University
Annual Report Highlights the Strength of Florida’s Ocean Economy
Florida Atlantic University has published the first Annual Report for the Florida Office of Ocean Economy, a state initiative created in 2024 to strengthen Florida’s ocean and coastal-based industries. The report reveals that in 2023, ocean-related activity supported 909,000 jobs, generated $59 billion in labor income, and contributed $96 billion to Florida’s Gross State Product, positioning Florida as a global leader in ocean-linked industries.
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