The State of the Blue Economy Forum is the premier event to align on priorities for advocacy and action to advance WA's blue economy.

Join leaders from fishing, energy engineering, research, tourism, and conservation and get insights into trends across state, national and international ocean sectors.

This is your opportunity to contribute to the discussions and prioritisation of changes in strategy, practice, and policy. Leaders and representatives of key sectors and locations will be agreeing priorities for advocacy, and government and industry will be there to listen.

This forum is also the place to discover new opportunities and advance collaboration for your venture.

Who this event is for:

The forum is a unique opportunity for leaders to have informed dialogue, align on key priorities that advance our blue economy while safeguarding the ocean. It's also a great forum to make valuable connections, progress useful collaborations, and enjoy a great morning by the ocean. Participants include:

Industry: CEOs and MDs of marine businesses
Civil society: peak bodies, NGOs, conservation, foundations
Government: ministers and policymakers from federal, state and local governments
Academia: researchers who lead cross-disciplinary initiatives
Innovators: entrepreneurs and companies commercialising innovative technology.

Agenda

8:00 - Arrival + Networking
8:25 - Welcome to Country and Plenary Keynotes
9:10 - Plenary Panel 1
10:00 - Morning Tea
10:30 - Breakout Discussions
11:20 - Plenary Panel 2
11:50 - Plenary Closing Remarks
12:00 - Networking

Key speakers

Hannah Fitzhardinge, Lord Mayor City of Fremantle
Andrew Dolling, Executive Director, Science and Innovation, JTSI
Gigi Brisson, Founder & CEO, Ocean Elders
Marie Taylor, Noongar Elder
Colin McIvor, Cluster Manager, Subsea Innovation Cluster Australia
Claudia França de Abreu, Vice Chairperson, WA Coastal and Marine Community
Carli Telfer, Manager of Policy, Innovation and Technology, WAFIC
David Good, CEO, AIMEX, Superyacht Australia & ACMG
Kathryn McMahon, Associate Dean of Research, Edith Cowan University
Luke Twomey, CEO, WA Marine Science Institution (WAMSI)
Miranda Taylor, CEO, NERA
Andrew Outhwaite, Managing Director, For Blue
Danicia Quinlan, CEO, Fremantle Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Joy Francis-Hayes, Development Manager, Copenhagen Energy
Sonia Beckwith, Co-founder, Live Ningaloo
Nikkola Palmer, Events Facilitator

Read their bios here.

Key themes

Themes for discussions in 2022 include:

🌉 How major infrastructure projects can deliver positive environmental outcomes

🌏 Reaching international markets and influencing global agendas from a remote location

📄 Policy and strategies that can encourage sustainable growth of the blue economy and improve ocean health

📈 Trends and predictions for markets, social values and ecosystems.

These themes will form the basis for smaller group discussions and plenary sessions that resulted in a 'top 5 priorities' for WA's blue economy, towards the vision of being the leading Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean by 2030.

Highlights from the 2021 Forum

Download the 2021 State of the Blue Economy Forum report here.

Feedback from previous For Blue events

“The fishbowl setting got participants involved in the discussions, which was excellent.”

"Good to get insight on concrete case studies and not just big picture talks."

“Networking with Blue Economy participants and their expertise relevant to my own venture.”

“There was a good vibe in the room, a lot of drive, a lot of people with varied backgrounds wanting to do a lot of good.”

This event is being held as part of West Tech Fest 2022 and supported by For Blue, the City of Fremantle, and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Innovation.