Ocean Economy Collaborations

STATEWIDE

Anchoring Science: Florida Institute of Oceanography

The Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), based at the University of South Florida, is a statewide collaborative organization comprising of more than 30 institutions advancing marine research, education and economic resilience. FIO operates key assets such as the R/V Weatherbird II, R/V W.T. Hogarth, and the 118- foot twin-hulled R/V Western Flyer, which is equipped with advanced deep-sea exploration technology. FIO also operates the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML), a full-service marine ﬁeld station in partnership with FWC.

Since 2015, FIO has administered over $14 million through the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program (FLRACEP), supporting projects on ﬁsheries, coral reef health, marine wildlife and water quality. These grants have generated over 60 peer-reviewed publications and supported more than 50 graduate students across 11 Florida institutions. FIO also drives STEM workforce development, with over 10,000 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students participating in ﬁeld-based programs. Through these efforts, FIO contributes to job creation and a skilled workforce in sectors like ﬁsheries, aquaculture and restoration. With more than 3,000 alumni entering marine and technical careers, FIO continues to deliver the research, talent and tools needed to strengthen Florida’s ocean economy and environmental resilience.

From Ideas to Impact: Ocean Exchange Anchors Innovation in Florida

Ocean Exchange, a nonproﬁt based in Fort Lauderdale, identiﬁes and accelerates global ocean-focused startups through its annual innovation competition, awarding non-dilutive $100,000 grants. Since its launch, ﬁnalists have raised over $3.2 billion in follow-on capital, with $320,000 awarded in 2024 alone. Winning innovations address challenges in reef restoration, waste-to-energy, cruise emissions and marine data monitoring, many with direct relevance to Florida’s ocean economy.

Startups like Oyster Heaven (biodegradable oyster reefs), Phoenix Waste Solutions (zero-fuel waste processing), and BLUEiQ (ship-strike prevention) are now piloting solutions statewide. As a core partner in The Continuum, a $13.9 million NOAA-funded ocean-tech accelerator located in Saint Petersburg, Ocean Exchange is building the commercialization pipeline for resilience, ecosystem services, and marine logistics.

With 150 – 200 global delegates attending each year, Ocean Exchange connects innovators to ports, shipping executives, researchers and investors — positioning Florida as a national leader in scalable ocean innovation.

Futureproofing with the Resilient Florida Program

Boat parking Launched in 2021 and managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Resilient Florida Program is a statewide initiative that protects coastal communities from sea level rise, ﬂooding and severe storms. What sets the program apart is its combination of infrastructure funding with mandatory local vulnerability assessments, creating a data-driven approach to resilience planning.

To date, the program has awarded over $1.8 billion for projects such as seawalls, stormwater upgrades, and wetland restoration. In 2023 alone, $275 million was distributed across 75 projects, reinforcing Florida’s coastal economy, including tourism, ports and ﬁsheries.

Beyond funding, Resilient Florida fosters cross-sector collaboration and requires a Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan each year. This ensures legislators are guided by the latest science and local data, embedding resilience into the state’s long-term budgeting. The result is a strategic model that supports both economic prosperity and environmental durability across Florida’s ocean economy.

Clean Water, Stronger Coasts: Florida’s Investments in Water Quality

Florida’s iconic waterways — from Lake Okeechobee and Tampa Bay to Biscayne Bay and the Indian River Lagoon — face mounting threats from nutrient runoff, algal blooms and septic overﬂows. These issues damage ecosystems and have direct economic consequences for the ocean economy, which generates over $40 billion in GDP and supports more than 700,000 jobs statewide.

To respond, Florida has committed over $600 million for FY 2025–2026 in water quality projects, including $189 million in general funding, $100 million for the Indian River Lagoon and $80 million for the Kissimmee River Basin. These investments support infrastructure upgrades, septic-to-sewer conversions and ecosystem restoration, reducing harmful algal blooms and preserving marine habitats. The State’s efforts were further strengthened by the Blue-Green Algae Task Force, established by Governor DeSantis. Composed of subject-matter experts, the Task Force provides recommendations and guidance aimed at protecting Florida’s water resources and reducing algae blooms.

The Protecting Florida Together initiative provides real-time data on blue-green algae, red tide, and nutrient pollution through interactive maps and health alerts. Meanwhile, the Healthy Beaches Program, run by the Florida Department of Health, monitors bacterial levels at recreational beaches to protect public health and tourism, which draws over 30 million beachgoers annually. Together, these programs safeguard both environmental health and Florida’s economic vitality.

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

Power from the Current: Building Florida’s Marine Energy Future

Florida’s ocean currents, especially the Gulf Stream, offer a consistent and powerful source of marine energy — an emerging sector with high potential to provide clean, baseload electricity. Harnessing this resource requires investment in durable offshore infrastructure, undersea grid connections, and a skilled workforce.

Florida is stepping up. The College of the Florida Keys offers an A.S. in Renewable Energy Engineering Technology, while Florida Atlantic University’s Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC), backed by funding from the U.S. DOE, is training the next generation of marine energy professionals. SNMREC is also leading development of the nation’s ﬁrst ocean current test site off Palm Beach County, supported by an $800,000 DOE grant and partners like Lake Worth Beach Electric Utility.

A planned 12 – 15-mile subsea demonstration cable could power real-time generation and serve as a national model. A prior study estimated 271 jobs and $40 million in local impact during construction alone.

Farming the Future: Atlantic Sapphire’s Land-Based Salmon Revolution

With wild ﬁsh stocks under pressure, Atlantic Sapphire’s land-based aquaculture facility in Homestead, Florida, offers a scalable, sustainable solution. Using cutting-edge recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in its "Bluehouse," the company raises Atlantic salmon without antibiotics, escapes or impact on wild ecosystems.

The 400,000+ square-foot facility recycles 99% of its water, can repurpose ﬁsh waste to sell as fertilizer and produces 20 million pounds of salmon annually near major markets, cutting transport emissions and costs. Plans to expand production to 400 million pounds could supply up to 30% of U.S. salmon demand and create 20,000 jobs across the seafood supply chain.

To compete globally, Atlantic Sapphire calls for a USDA organic seafood standard, federal support and inclusion in institutional purchasing programs. As seafood demand grows, this Bluehouse model offers a domestic, environmentally friendly blueprint for the future of sustainable aquaculture in Florida and beyond.

Turning Seaweed into Solutions: Sargassum Eco Lumber

Sargassum Eco Lumber, based in Homestead, Florida, is tackling one of the state’s growing coastal problems — massive Sargassum seaweed blooms — by converting marine biomass and plastic debris into sustainable construction panels. Founded by Raquel and Andrés de Antonio Crespo, the company’s process creates a formaldehyde-free, water-resistant lumber alternative used in furniture, pallets and building materials.

The panels are made by solar-drying collected Sargassum, blending it with recycled polyethylene and compressing it into durable boards. In its ﬁrst season, the company diverted tons of marine waste from landﬁlls, while creating new green jobs for former hospitality workers and ﬁshers.

To scale production, the team has partnered with scientists, ports and beach managers to monitor blooms and install on-site solar dryers, cutting emissions and stabilizing supply. The company is now working with technical colleges to develop a workforce pipeline, positioning itself at the forefront of Florida’s circular economy and ocean innovation sector.

Charting Careers: MIASF Builds Florida’s Yacht Workforce

The Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) is preparing Florida’s next generation of marine professionals through a strong industry partnership. MIASF’s Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program (YSTAP) is a two-year training initiative launched in 2020. It blends full-time industry work with evening classes in welding, painting, hydraulics and more. With 26 partner companies and over 50 successful graduates, the program addresses critical workforce needs in Florida’s $24 billion marine industry.

MIASF is building a resilient talent pipeline, combining technical skills, hands-on experience, and academic excellence to fuel the continued growth of Florida’s ocean economy.

FLIBS: Driving Global Marine Innovation from Fort Lauderdale

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is the world’s largest in-water boat show and a cornerstone of Florida’s marine economy. Hosted by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, FLIBS brings over 100,000 attendees from 93 countries, generating $824 million in direct sales and contributing over $1.8 billion annually to Florida’s economy.

Beyond commerce, FLIBS is a marine workforce and innovation hub. It supports the Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program, partners with Junior Achievement and funds scholarships to strengthen career pipelines. It also champions Ocean Exchange, a nonproﬁt awarding $100,000 prizes to startups advancing sustainable ocean technologies.

From living seawalls to carbon-to-fuel systems, Ocean Exchange winners gain global exposure through FLIBS. By fusing industry, innovation and education, FLIBS positions Florida as a leader in the future of the ocean economy.

Shore Power Transforms PortMiami and Port Everglades

PortMiami and Port Everglades, two of the world’s busiest cruise ports, are leading efforts to reduce emissions by investing in shore power infrastructure. This technology allows ships to plug into the local electrical grid while docked, shutting off engines that would otherwise emit air pollutants harmful to both public health and the environment.

At PortMiami, a $125 million investment, with $21.7 million in grant support, enabled shore power at ﬁve terminals, making it the ﬁrst port on the U.S. East Coast to power three ships simultaneously. At Port Everglades, upgrades are underway to supply shore power to up to eight berths, in partnership with FPL and major cruise lines.

Shore power not only reduces air and water pollution but also improves the passenger experience and protects public health in nearby urban communities. By embracing this clean technology, Florida’s ports are supporting a sustainable tourism economy while establishing the state as a national leader in port innovation.

TAMPA BAY/WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

The Continuum: Launchpad for Ocean Innovation

The Continuum is a hub for ocean-focused startups tackling challenges like coastal resilience, ocean carbon, pollution and marine ecosystem services. Funded by a four-year $13.9 million grant from NOAA, this consortium of seven entities established a national system to move startups to commercialization. The grant is designed to support start-ups from the idea stage to those ready to scale and grow.

The group includes five Florida organizations: Tampa Bay Wave, St. Pete Innovation District, Seaworthy Collective, Ocean Exchange, and University of South Florida. With Continuum’s national focus, Florida companies can access a wide marketplace to fuel their advancement. Non-Florida companies will have a ready-made network in the state to access and grow the important Florida economy and provide solutions for Florida ocean/coastal challenges.

Positioned at the intersection of academia, private philanthropy, industry and government, The Continuum partners with its seven organizations to connect innovators with customers, funding and public-sector support.

St. Pete’s Ocean Tech Powerhouse: The Innovation District

The St. Petersburg Innovation District (SPID) is a nationally recognized hub driving collaboration across marine science, tech, health and resilience. Anchored by institutions like USF’s College of Marine Science, NOAA, USGS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Institute, SPID fuels Florida’s ocean economy through partnerships, research and workforce development.

SPID supports ocean innovation in areas like sea-level modeling, marine energy and water quality, and partners with The Continuum, a NOAA-backed startup accelerator. Through collaborations with St. Petersburg College, SPID offers career-ready certiﬁcate programs in GIS, drone ops and coastal data, engaging 100+ students annually and promoting equity in STEAM ﬁelds.

Now expanding, SPID’s new HUB2 facility will serve as a national center for ocean tech testing, marine defense, and unmanned systems, further positioning Florida as a leader in the ocean economy.

Science in Action: Mote Marine Laboratory

Mote Marine Laboratory, a leading independent research institution, combines cutting-edge science, ecosystem restoration and technology development to tackle Florida’s coastal challenges. From coral and seagrass restoration to harmful algal bloom (HAB) mitigation, Mote’s work strengthens the ecological foundations of Florida’s tourism and ﬁshing industries.

Through its Florida Red Tide Mitigation Initiative, Mote partners with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to develop tools that reduce the economic and environmental toll of red tide. Its technology transfer program helps turn research into market-ready products, attracting industry investment and spurring growth in coastal environmental technology.

By advancing both science and commercialization, Mote supports job creation, environmental health and economic resilience — proving that marine research is a critical engine for Florida’s ocean economy.

PANHANDLE/NORTHWEST FLORIDA

Reviving the Bay: Apalachicola’s Oyster Comeback and Coastal Resilience

Once the source of 90% of Florida’s oysters and 10% of the national supply, Apalachicola Bay supported a $134 million regional economy. After years of upstream water mismanagement, the ﬁshery collapsed, leading to a ﬁve-year moratorium on wild oyster harvesting beginning in 2020.

In response, the Apalachicola Bay System Initiative (ABSI) was launched by Florida State University with $8 million in funding from Triumph Gulf Coast. The initiative, now continued through the Partnership for a Resilient Apalachicola Bay, focuses on reef restoration, water quality and sustainable harvest management. Restoration efforts use limestone and recycled shell to rebuild habitat, with early signs of recovery already beneﬁting sportﬁshing, guiding and coastal tourism.

While commercial harvesting may resume in 2026, the broader goal is ecosystem recovery. These investments help protect the health of the bay and sustain the local economy through clean water, resilient ﬁsheries, and outdoor recreation.