Blue Economy coming to Alberni

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The ‘Blue Economy’ is coming to Port Alberni.

Representatives from Victoria-based Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies held an event at the Harbour Quay last night bringing local marine businesses and industries together.

Executive Director Jason Goldsworthy said Port Alberni is positioned to become a hub for marine innovations for the west coast.

“It’s a great location for companies that are trying to develop new technologies to test and demonstrate their technology here, set up shop in Port Alberni, and create new technology and export to the world,” he said. “The Blue Economy is synonymous with being more sustainable by treating our oceans in a better way rather than extracting and exploiting so it’s not necessarily going away from fisheries and aquaculture, but more away from the traditional forms and looking at better ways to do it.”

Known by their acronym COAST, Goldsworthy says his organization is a support network for new businesses, and helps bring together entrepreneurs with funding and investment partners.

He said Port Alberni already has the beginnings of a diverse marine economy with partners like Ocean Networks Canada, Dock Plus, Canadian Maritime Engineering and Independant Seafoods.

photo: COAST Executive Director Jason Goldsworthy speaks to Alberni maritime business leaders (Chaisson Creative)