For Immediate Release
September 26, 2024
(HALIFAX, NS) – During the OCEANS 2024 conference in Halifax, NS, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Ocean Service (NOS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their collaboration and advance shared priorities in the sustainable development of the ocean economy.
With shared borders spanning three oceans and the Great Lakes, close collaboration between ocean industries in the U.S. and Canada is imperative. Formalizing the relationship between OSC and NOAA means improving the coordination around joint objectives including convening industry, academia and governments to develop greater connections in both countries, sharing knowledge and technical information, and collectively supporting ocean workforce development.
This partnership will support the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, while contributing to the health of the marine and coastal ecosystem. These joint activities will also work to grow the societal, economic, and environmental benefits of the ocean economy.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster looks forward to a productive and active partnership with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the benefits it will yield for the ocean economy and the health of the planet.
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Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca
About NOAA
Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources. See how NOAA science, services, and stewardship benefit your community: Visit noaa.gov for our latest news and features, and join us on social media.
Quotes
“This memorandum of understanding is an important step in fostering and strengthening collaboration between Canada and the United States in addressing ocean challenges,” says the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “The Ocean Cluster is helping to drive transformative solutions in our oceans, leveraging innovation and working with like-minded countries to build a stronger, more sustainable and more prosperous ocean economy in Canada.”
“From tackling climate challenges to transition of energy to food security to how we move our goods, the ocean is at the heart of addressing some of the biggest shared global challenges we face today, while also creating significant opportunity for workforce development and economic growth in the process,” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “Today’s formal agreement between Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and NOAA represents a joint commitment to working together in context of this opportunity, increasing collaboration between Canada and the US in the ocean sector, and outcomes with a greater reach than either partner could achieve alone.”
“We’re excited about this collaboration to join Canada’s Ocean Supercluster in support of the Ocean Enterprise. It’s great to be joining forces across the border with our Canadian colleagues and build upon their proven success working with technology clusters to collectively advance ocean science and technology to meet societal needs.” – Carl Gouldman , NOAA’s U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office Director