Blue Economy Seminar Programme Aims to Develop a ‘Forward Strategy’ at Ocean Business 2015

08.03.2015
The Federation of Surveyors (FIG) and International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) are hosting a vital seminar for the Blue Economy at this year’s Ocean Business event on 14 April from 9.30 - 5.00pm at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, UK.





Gordon Johnston, Vice Chair of FIG Commission 4 – Hydrography explains, “We’ve just launched an unmissable programme for those interested in reaping the benefits of the Blue Economy. From government to commercial organisations and coastal communities, the seminar ‘Blue Economy - Bridging the Gap’ helps us understand how we can all gain sustained benefits from the sea. The seminar includes outstanding speakers from all corners of the industry, but more than that - it offers delegates an opportunity to contribute and make a difference to help develop a strategy for the future.”


At a time when the industry is facing financial, geopolitical and technical challenges, the Blue Economy seminar aims to provide an opportunity for innovation, collaboration and enterprise. From the seminar, FIG and IHO intend to develop a summary position document to further advance the concept of developing and growing a Blue Economy.


Gordon Johnston continues, “The seminar couldn’t be timed better as governments are now setting policy and looking at the next stage of how to administer and manage their marine areas. We urge the industry to take part in the seminar to help us devise the best way forward.”


There will be five different sessions running at the seminar, with numerous presentations and a final discussion session to understand outcomes. Dr. Jonathan Williams, CEO of Marine South East, will be presenting an inspiring keynote speech about ‘turning aspiration into opportunity’. Using his vast industry experience, his presentation will explore the growth potential of the Blue Economy in terms of new markets, new customers and new technologies.


Other highlights of the seminar include a talk by Michael Jones, President of the Maritime Alliance, who addresses a fundamental question: ‘how big is the Blue Economy?’ by looking at the size of the US Blue Economy and BlueTech and efforts that are underway to quantify and promote them. Dr Gordon Drummond, Project Director of Subsea UK, provides a perspective on innovation and the offshore industry opportunities. Also of interest are success stories such as the talk given by Massimo Sarti, Project Director at the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, which demonstrates successful fisheries management for Asia’s largest lagoon ecosystem through a combination of stakeholder collaboration and spatial data.


Looking to the future, Paul Holthus, CEO of the World Ocean Council, talks about the need for cross-sectoral leadership and collaboration organisations to help resolve complex business challenges such as cumulative environmental impacts, conflicts in marine space and resources, and policies and regulations that do not support responsible ocean economic development.


Cheri Arvonio, Ocean Business’ Event Manager, commented, “We are delighted that Ocean Business is the venue for such an important seminar. As the biggest gathering of the year for the international ocean business community, Ocean Business 2015 has become a centre for related industry events and we hope that delegates will benefit from the Blue Economy seminar to help develop a strategy for the future.”


Delegates to the Blue Economy seminar will enjoy free entrance to the Ocean Business exhibition, which provides a high calibre mix of technology and business for visitors with over 300 companies exhibiting. As in previous years, the show will include a full three-day programme of hands-on training and demonstration workshops, enabling buyers to actually test drive equipment before purchasing. Also running alongside Ocean Business will be the Offshore Survey conference to address the technical and business issues facing the global field of offshore surveying. As always, the combined events bring a lively social programme, culminating in a gala dinner, held at Southampton’s Guildhall on 15th April.


For the full programme of Blue Economy - Bridging the Gap, or to register to attend please visit: www.oceanbusiness.com.

Location: Southampton, United Kingdom









About Cookies - We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and help us improve our websites. For more information please click here.