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About All Blue, The Alliance For The Blue Economy

The Alliance for the Blue Economy ("All Blue")

The Alliance for the Blue Economy ("All Blue") is a local, multidisciplinary initiative to establish Wilmington and southeast North Carolina as a national and global leader in the Blue Economy.

The World Bank describes the Blue Economy as the "sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem."

As a CIE program, All Blue's mission is to:

  • Support Blue Economy high-impact entrepreneurs and innovators
  • Promote the region as an innovation hub and attract Blue Economy investment capital
  • Gain recognition as an eventual global leader in Blue Economy solutions
  • Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability

What is the blue economy?

Oceans and rivers are critical to life on our planet. Not only do they provide drinking water, oxygen, and food, they also support countless businesses and millions of jobs. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ocean-based businesses such as commercial fishing, shipping, tourism, wind energy, and biopharmaceuticals, among others, deliver $361 billion in good and services to the U.S. economy annually and supported 2.2 million jobs.

Yet, our oceans and waterways are facing increasing threats from climate change, pollution, and over-fishing. Parts of the oceans have seven times more plastic than fish. Climate change is warming waters, making it more difficult for fish to reproduce and thrive. Rising sea levels are endangering coastal habitats.

The Blue Economy is a global concept to align ocean economic growth with sustainable ocean and coastal health. The Blue Economy is recognized by The World Bank as "the sustainable use of ocean resources fo economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem."

In establishing the Alliance for the Blue Economy, southeastern North Carolina joins a growing list of Blue Economy hubs in locations such as Boston, Seattle, southern California, the Great Lakes, Alaska, Iceland, and Newfoundland.

Around the world, Blue Economy alliances and hubs are fostering innovation in coastal and oceanic observation, sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, carbon sequestration, and healthy ocean ecosystems to ensure that the ocean's resources sustainably thrive for future generations.

Why Wilmington?

Southeastern North Carolina is ideally positioned to become a viable Blue Economy hub for several reasons that are unique in the nation:

  • We're adjacent to the second largest coastline and river estuary in the U.S.
  • Southeastern NC has the second largest coastal access to open ocean on the East Coast.
  • We're cultivating a growing reputation as a leader in technology-focused businesses that employ highly skilled workers.
  • We're home to UNCW (scientific research), NCPorts (commercial application and deployment), and Cape Fear Community College (workforce training). Taken together, these institutions advance Blue Economy science and technologies (UNCW alone has more than 100 faculty engaged in marine sciences and ocean/coastal preservation).

What are some examples of the "Blue Economy"?

Some examples include:

  1. Marine Engineering and IT: Robotics and Advanced Data Science Analytics
  2. Marine Biology: Marine Ecosystems, Sustainable Seafood and Aquaculture
  3. Marine Biotechnology: Pharmacology, Natural Products, Water and Waste Systems and Testing
  4. Coastal Resilience: Sustainable Hospitality and Recreation, Economic Durability, Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery

Key All Blue Activities

Learn More

NC Blue Economy Assets Map

NC Blue Economy Report

Information in the Blue Economy

Happening at UNCW (sign up and get involved)

Other Ways to Get Involved

Partners

Keynotes from the Ocean Innovation Conference 2023

 

FAQs

We based the Alliance for the Blue Economy's mission on the World Bank's definition: "the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem." For the Alliance that means economic growth and development balanced with sustainable stewardship of our marine resources.

Marine Science is one of UNCW's most important academic areas. With degree programs in coastal engineering and marine biology, among others, the University has long trained talented professionals in the marine sciences. It boasts more than 100 faculty members engaged in marine sciences and ocean/coastal preservation, so the Alliance for the Blue Economy is a natural extension of our work. We also view the Blue Economy as vital to growing innovation and entrepreneurship in southeastern North Carolina.

Ultimately our goal is to lure existing and start-up Blue Economy businesses to the region, boosting our regional economy and creating well-paying new jobs.

The Alliance will support Blue Economy entrepreneurs and innovators, promote the region as a Blue Economy innovation hub, assist in the creation of Blue Economy-ready infrastructure, and attract Blue Economy investment capital. To fulfill this vision, the Alliance will work to obtain federal, state and regional grants with government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and private sector partners.

Southeastern North Carolina is ideally positioned to become a viable Blue Economy leader due to its extensive coastline and river estuary, its coastal access to open water (the second largest on the East Coast) and its growing reputation as a leader in technology-focused businesses that employ highly skilled workers.

In addition, southeastern North Carolina will become the only Blue Economy hub on the eastern seaboard between Boston and Florida.

All Blue is focused on industry sectors that already have a strong history and track record in the region, such as hospitality and seafood, and in sectors in which the region's academic and business communities have significant expertise, such as coastal engineering, marine robotics, marine biopharma, and coastal resilience.

The Alliance has a board of advisors drawn from the local business and academic communities. They support the work of five sector leads in the areas of coastal engineering/marine robotics, regenerative tourism, marine biopharma, sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, and coastal resilience. Programs are staffed by employees of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and consultants.

Contact The CIE

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Phone: (910) 962-2206

cie@uncw.edu

803 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5676

Regular Hours

  • Monday to Friday - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

  • Saturday and Sunday - Closed

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