San Diego’s focus on blue tech innovation

Set up to act as a catalyst for the region’s blue economy, the Port of San Diego established its funding programme called the Blue Economy Incubator (BEI) in 2016.

“The Port of San Diego is leading the charge in building a sustainable ocean economy, and MarineLabs is proud to be part of that effort,” said Dr Scott Beatty, CEO of MarineLabs.

“By partnering through the Blue Economy Incubator, we’re setting a new standard for how ports can use real-time, hyper-local coastal intelligence for climate hazard monitoring, assessing environmental impacts and building coastal resilience. This project reflects the growing demand for actionable coastal data, a need that’s driving MarineLabs’ growth as we partner with leading ports across North America to strengthen marine safety and climate resilience.”

Funding innovation

MarineLabs’ technology will focus on providing persistent wave, wind and wake data above the water’s surface and complement another BEI funded company, HyperKelp, whose buoy platforms collect data on underwater noise and water chemistry.

To date, the Board of Port Commissioners has approved 11 agreements under the auspices of its BEI programme. These are early-stage companies, including one re-investment, to launch innovative pilot projects, four of which have been completed.

MarineLabs is the newest addition to the BEI programme, which also includes FREDsense, which is developing a portable five-in-one field-testing sensor device to provide near real-time metals analysis for stormwater monitoring. 

The Port of San Diego said is committed to the development of a sustainable ocean economy and to explore new opportunities that deliver multiple social, environmental and economic co-benefits to the port and the region. One of these focuses is on sustainable aquaculture.

“The Port of San Diego’s Blue Economy Incubator continues to catalyse innovative solutions that protect our coastal environment and advance meaningful progress toward long-term resilience,” said Danielle Moore, chair, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners.

“Our commitment to the development of a thriving and responsible ocean economy is anchored in our tireless efforts to honour our role as an environmental steward of the bay and solidify San Diego Bay as the Blue Tech Bay.”

To date, the port has committed US$2.25 million in funding to blue economy initiatives.