Maturing the Ocean Enterprise – a Dialogue on the Ocean Enterprise Initiative

Observing the ocean and disseminating data, information, and knowledge to address critical societal and environmental issues—such as climate change mitigation and ocean health restoration—requires a robust and sustained infrastructure. Simultaneously, as we seek to harness the ocean’s potential for economic growth and food security, we recognize the indispensable role of ocean data in informing and supporting investments. This data empowers communities, cities, regions, and nations to adapt and thrive in the face of climate change challenges.  

At the heart of this endeavor lies the ‘Ocean Enterprise.’ Comprising public, private, non-profit, research, and academic sectors, the Ocean Enterprise generates essential knowledge to tackle pressing societal challenges. Notably, the growing marine technology and service sector is pivotal in the Enterprise. Despite its critical importance, the Ocean Enterprise remains fragmented, underfunded, and undervalued across the ocean information value chain.   

Join us as we explain the initiative, discuss the action pathways of the Dialogues with Industry Roadmap, the way ahead, an initial input from our external advisory board, and activities planned.      

Together, we can elevate the Ocean Enterprise Sector and change the perception of ocean information from ancillary to essential. 

 The Ocean Enterprise Initiative’s core partners are the Marine Technology Society (MTS), the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Kongsberg Discovery, and L3Harris. MTS efforts are mainly funded by the Department of Commerce NOAA grant, supporting the Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies Strategy Priority.