As industries evolve, advocates of the B次元官网网址榖lue economyB次元官网网址� say the regionB次元官网网址檚 existing knowledge of harnessing coastal potential can help Greater Victoria become a hub of ocean-based sustainable industries and job creation.

University of Victoria researcher Kate Moran was recently involved in a study looking at six ocean-based carbon removal technologies. ItB次元官网网址檚 something she said should be top of mind with B.C. coming off environmental disasters and with a federal government committed to putting a price on carbon emissions.

B次元官网网址淎s we advance these research opportunities, then these could be industrial sectors in the future (and) some of them could be based here,B次元官网网址� Moran said.

As new marine industries surface and aquatic-carbon removal strategies grow, theyB次元官网网址檒l need support B次元官网网址� something Moran said this region can provide.

B次元官网网址淎lready on Vancouver Island and in this region, we have a rich ecosystem of small and medium-sized companies that are some of the best ocean sensor companies in the world.B次元官网网址�

Some technologies that showed promise included using electrolysis to alter ocean acidity and using nutrient fertilization to increase life on the oceanB次元官网网址檚 surface B次元官网网址� both aimed at helping the seas be more productive at removing greenhouse gas emissions. Local exploration into these strategies could mean economic benefits down the road.

B次元官网网址淲hen you put a stake in the ground and say weB次元官网网址檙e going to advance this research, you become the know-how centre for the future,B次元官网网址� said Moran, whoB次元官网网址檚 also the president and CEO of Ocean Networks Canada.

The depths off Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 west coast could also mean big things for future carbon-cutting industries. Moran is involved in a project looking at capturing carbon from the air and injecting it into basalt beneath the Cascadia Basin. When tested in IcelandB次元官网网址檚 waters, the concept showed CO2 mineralized into rock within two years B次元官网网址� making it very tough for emissions to escape.

ItB次元官网网址檚 an encouraging result for Moran, who said the Cascadia Basin has the capacity to hold 20 years worth of global CO2 emissions.

Pulling off these innovative strategies will require many of the same skills used in extractive industries, meaning thereB次元官网网址檚 potential for a seamless worker transition.

B次元官网网址淚 see these as really clear bridges of moving the workforce from extractive to more sustainable (industries),B次元官网网址� Moran said.

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Ocean Networks Canada is a member of the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST), a Greater Victoria-based hub trying to make sure the area doesnB次元官网网址檛 miss out on the $1.5-trillion global blue economy thatB次元官网网址檚 expected to double by 2030.

As a coastal capital, the marine sector already makes up a huge amount of the local economy, said Dallas Gislason, COASTB次元官网网址檚 director of economic development. He, along with Moran, said local companies like SidneyB次元官网网址檚 Cascadia Seaweed, SaanichB次元官网网址檚 Open Ocean Robotics, ASL Environmental Sciences and many more show how Greater Victoria can make waves in the blue economy.

B次元官网网址淲e have these competencies that can actually help us position ourselves as part of that $3-trillion opportunity thatB次元官网网址檚 right in front of us,B次元官网网址� Gislason said.

Calling climate change one of the biggest problems humans face, Gislason said larger industries are feeling the pressure to decarbonize. An example, he said, is BC FerriesB次元官网网址� push to eventually electrify its fleet. While the current technology and high costs make it difficult to convert its fossil-fuel-powered vessels, Gislason said B次元官网网址渢hat creates an industry challenge that demands innovation.B次元官网网址�

One of COASTB次元官网网址檚 goals is to identify larger industries that are facing big problems and link them to the right start-up companies and research teams that can help.

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Using the seaweed marketplace as another example, Gislason said itB次元官网网址檚 niche now but is projected to be a massive protein and nutrition source for a world facing food scarcity and a quickly growing population. He added the South Island suits the seaweed industry well as companies will want to do business in places that value the environment and partnerships with Indigenous stakeholders.

Cashing in on kelp could also mean job growth as offshoot research and product development companies pop up, he said B次元官网网址� name-dropping SookeB次元官网网址檚 Seaflora Skincare.

B次元官网网址淚f you just apply all of these individual opportunities, youB次元官网网址檙e going to start to see employment numbers grow in all of those areas.B次元官网网址�

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Do you have a story tip? Email: jake.romphf@blackpress.ca.

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