If you told me a year ago that I’d spend my summer meeting Chiefs, learning about ocean technology, and helping launch initiatives that promote Indigenous-led climate resiliency, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But that’s exactly where I have ended up, working as the Indigenous Engagement Intern at Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. 

I’m studying Social Justice and Peace Studies, along with Politics and International Relations. My interests have always leaned toward community work, human rights, and equity, so I wasn’t sure if an ocean sector co-op was a perfect match. What I didn’t expect was how much the ocean sector overlaps with everything I care about: environmental justice, Indigenous sovereignty, climate policy, access to technology and intellectual property, and the right to a livable future. It’s easy to see the ocean as distant, but the truth is, what happens in and around it impacts everyone. 

Working at the OSC has helped me realize how the ocean industry isn’t just about science and technology; it’s about people, relationships, and  shaping the future. At the OSC, commitment to Indigenous engagement isn’t just a checkbox; it’s built into programs like the Indigenous Coastal Innovation Challenge, Indigenous Career Pivot Program, and the formation of the Arctic Steering Committee. Being part of those efforts gave me the opportunity to see how partnerships and innovation can come together to support community priorities and long-term resilience. 

One thing that continues to resonate with me, more broadly, is how many voices and perspectives are still missing from these conversations. The ocean economy holds enormous potential, but we will never realize that potential without participation of all. Justice in this sector goes beyond inclusion, it requires making space for diverse ways of knowing, living, and leading. It was incredible to be part of a team that values this commitment to driving equity and collaborative action forward. 

My advice to other students wanting a co-op? Go for it and be open! Consider applying to jobs and co-ops that don’t align perfectly with your vision or long-term career goals. Some of the most meaningful learning happens outside your usual lane. The world is more connected than we think, and there’s space for your values in every sector, even the ones you haven’t considered yet. You don’t need to change who you are to do important work; sometimes your perspective is exactly what’s needed to push a space forward. 

By:
Charlene Bearhead
Vice President, Learning and Reconciliation 
Canadian Geographic Enterprises

We often hear people say, “the youth are our future” but in reality, we have a responsibility and opportunity to impact their future in the best way possible.  The time, energy, love and support that we offer to our young people today is our investment in a better future for them and the generations to follow. 

Supporting Indigenous-led youth expeditions and experiences that focus on nurturing the inherent relationship that Indigenous youth have with the land and water is a beautiful, engaging and powerful way to invest in the dreams, goals and hopes of the youth.  There is an indescribable joy that comes from witnessing the look on the face of an Indigenous young person when they realize the love of their lands and waters that they may have never had the opportunity to explore or experience before.  When they are surrounded by Indigenous water protectors, land guardians, deck hands, engineers, scientists, educators, photographers, researchers, writers and more… that’s where the real inspiration and the belief that anything is possible in their own lives hits home for many of these young people.

Miawpukek Horizon Maritime and Mi’kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA) are creating these opportunities for Mi’kmaq youth and looking to expand their offerings to other Indigenous youth over time, by opening up space for partners organizations to find our own roles and place in contributing to these experiences for the youth.  As Vice President Learning and Reconciliation at Canadian Geographic I had the privilege of partnering with Miawpukek Horizon and MAMKA in June of 2024 to contribute the learning resources, education and editorial support, along with photography on behalf of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.  We were able to bring in Jacksen Friske, a young Anishinaabeg journalism student who was employed as the summer student on the Canadian Geographic editorial team along with Cree photographer and RCGS Fellow Fred Cattroll to contribute to the programming and the coverage of the incredible vision and initiative of Miawpukek First Nation.  Our time and education resources were what we brought to the table to enhance the rich program that Miawpukek had pulled together including programming contributions from Marine Institute at Memorial University, Ocean Networks Canada, the Audubon Society just to name a few.

This is one example of what authentic reconciliation can look like, Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, organizations and societies coming together as allies and partners to support Indigenous-led experiences for youth. It’s time for those of us who are non-Indigenous to recognize our place and space in supporting Indigenous youth.  We all have a role, but we need to be diligent in our allyship.  Rather than occupying spaces that are not ours to consume, we can listen to what Indigenous Nations, communities and very importantly youth want to see us contribute.  As Miawpukek Horizon Marine, MAMKA and the Miawpukek First Nation continue to lead the way in their work within ocean, land and water science and career advancement, we all have the opportunity to uplift and highlight their efforts by promoting and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives. This is why the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Ocean Supercluster, Workplace Warriors and others see such tremendous value in investing in these community-driven opportunities. Join us and find your place in advancing these important experiences and expeditions for Indigenous youth as we do our part for their future.

By: Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

As the holidays now seem like a distant memory, the New Year is off to a busy start with exciting new project proposals under development, the announcement of new projects underway, and planning in full swing for our bi-annual Ambition 2035 Summit where we look forward to convening Canada’s ocean network behind one of the most important opportunities of our time.  

2025 is an important year. It marks just 10 years to our collective 5X growth ambition for Canada’s ocean economy, in the backdrop of a global ocean economy on the rise – expected to outpace the broader economy by 2030. And as Canada charts the course for what is next, the ocean economy is an important driver in the potential for economic growth, new jobs, increased productivity and competitiveness, thriving communities, and accelerating the development of more, made-in-Canada ocean technology to sell to the world. With a membership of 800 from across Canada, as well as associate membership world-wide, the OSC is one of the world’s largest blue clusters. With momentum behind us, now is the time. 

To date we have more than $500 million in announced and approved projects with partners and collaborators from different ocean sectors across the country. This month we have announced more than $9 million new in projects at an event at The Pier in Halifax, including the Amphibian UWILD Project and the AI-Powered Vessel Automation Toolkit Project from Marine Thinking, worth a combined $4.7 million, and the Forecast AI Project from MarineLabs worth $4.5 million, with more planned project announcements coming up in Ottawa in February and in Vancouver in March. 

You will find us participating at a number of key events in Canada and in global markets that you have identified as priority. In the coming weeks, this includes a session on Arctic ocean innovation at the Aqsarniit Conference in Ottawa, a dedicated ocean track at the Canada-in-Asia conference in Singapore, partnering in the delivery of sessions at Ocean Visions in Vancouver, and participating in Hannover Messe in Germany as a part of Canada’s host country programming.  

Our major, bi-annual Ambition 2035 Summit event will focus on action towards our collective goal of growing Canada’s ocean economy to $220 billion by 2035 – with the outcomes of research, reporting, and planning by national steering committees in key areas of growth, insights from global experts, and a look at  emerging, new opportunities, as well as a challenge competition soon to be launched for both early and mature companies. Stay tuned! 

If you are not yet a member of the OSC – now’s the time to get involved. Reach out to membership@oceansupercluster.ca, or visit Membership – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. We’re excited to connect with you! 

If you have a project idea – we continue to accept project proposals through our continuous intake, core program. Please reach out to get started! 

By Rhian Wallace, AI Ambassador in Residence, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

When I was sorting through the available co-op positions for my university degree, I was met with a sea of finance and programming opportunities; none of which really appealed to me. So, when I saw the posting from Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), it felt like finding a needle in a haystack. I didn’t know if there would be an option where I could align my interests in environmental stewardship, data analysis, and communication, but there it was. Despite my area of study being statistics and environmental studies, the possibility of working in the blue economy was not even on my radar. In fact, I didn’t even know the term ‘blue economy’ existed until my first day with the OSC. 

I hit the ground running when I was pulled into an in-person event on that first day – the OSC’s Ambition 2035 Conference in Victoria. As I sat and listened to the discussions taking place, they began turning to the topic of talent in the ocean sector. People around the room were saying “hey, there’s jobs here, but students don’t think of us.” Unbeknownst to them, they were talking about me. That is, people like me – students that don’t think of the ocean sector when considering career paths. Knowing what I know now about the ocean economy, combined with my personal experience engaging in professional pursuits as a student, I’d have to agree. Canada is the most coastal country in the world, boasting the fourth largest ocean territory and coastline on three of its four borders, and yet there I was thinking that ocean careers were reserved for those in marine studies.  

Since that time, I’ve had an incredibly eye-opening experience working at the OSC. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the work of Canadian ocean innovators and reflect on the systems that are built to support them. My role as the OSC AI Ambassador has given me a unique perspective into the potential of AI for the ocean sector and igniting those interests across multiple domains. 

Professionally, I’ve not only seen the high number of possibilities for ocean careers, but also the diversity of skills needed to grow a sustainable ocean economy. In the last month alone, I’ve recommended looking into work in the ocean sector to three of my job seeking friends, all who are considering vastly different career paths (software development, administration, and project management).  

Even though I’ve lived almost all my life in coastal cities, I never imagined I had the right skill set to bring to the ocean industry. Now that I’ve experienced it, I’ve seen many of the skillsets that are needed and the plethora of jobs available. My time as a co-op student with OSC has shown me that working in the ocean industry doesn’t have to mean being a marine biologist or a fisher, but it can mean supporting a positive impact on human-nature interactions, and on fostering systems of stewardship and sustainability, using the skills and interests I do have. 

By: Serena Nguyen (she/her) Founder, CEO & Principal Consultant Evolve Oceans

Earlier this year, I attended several ocean conferences, including the UN Ocean Decade, World Ocean Summit & Expo, H2O, and Oceanfest. While inspiring and insightful for those who could attend, something felt off.

Looking back, I realized that in those events, and the many smaller group discussions with leaders committed to tackling urgent ocean issues, there were very few people who looked like me…few or no other people of colour and limited gender or cultural diversity on stage or in the rooms. We discussed the importance of our ocean and its biodiversity, yet diverse voices, perspectives and experiences were missing from the conversation.

The parallels between human diversity and ocean biodiversity are not just interesting, but crucial. Our ocean, which covers 80% of the planet, is home to countless life forms, many of which are yet to be discovered. The diversity of these life forms is vital for climate regulation, food security, and oxygen production. However, as we face threats like climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction, it’s clear that we need to do more. We need to fully integrate the diversity of human perspectives, knowledge, and cultural practices to develop effective solutions to protect our ocean.

For example, generations of Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities have developed a deep, long-standing connection to the ocean. Their traditional knowledge and sustainable practices have preserved marine ecosystems for millennia. The Maori in New Zealand and Indigenous Peoples in the Pacific Northwest have managed their coastal resources sustainably, maintaining healthy fish populations and habitats. A 2021 UN report noted that Indigenous Peoples manage or hold tenure over 25% of the world’s land surface, supporting 80% of global biodiversity. Despite their invaluable contributions, these communities are often marginalized in ocean conservation, science, and policy.

To make meaningful progress in our efforts to grow, innovate, and protect ocean health and the blue economy, we must break out of our echo chambers and include more diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives. This won’t happen so long as I, and others like me, have to push to get into these rooms.

The intersection of human diversity and ocean biodiversity is not just about inclusion but survival. As we face unprecedented environmental challenges, leveraging the full spectrum of human knowledge and experience is crucial for developing sustainable solutions. By valuing and incorporating contributions from all communities and sectors, we can create the solutions needed for more resilient and thriving ecosystems in the ocean and on land.

So, the next time you ask yourself how you can contribute to the ocean, know that your diverse perspective, experiences, and skills can help create the next critical solution needed to protect our ocean and all life on land.

It’s time to bring more diversity into the blue economy. Are you interested in joining me?

By: Dr. Paula Mendonça (she/her) Executive Director, Ocean Startup Project

Our collective vision for Canada’s ocean economy is a bold one; reaching a target of 5x growth by 2035. This will require innovative solutions from companies of every size, including startups who are working to rethink how we can create a more sustainable future. As the Ocean Startup Project launches into Phase Three, we are excited to celebrate our founders’ remarkable achievements and look ahead to the impact emerging companies will have.

It wasn’t long ago that innovation and tech ecosystem leaders from across the Atlantic provinces met to discuss how to best collaborate and support ocean startups. They recognized that generating more ocean technology startups could significantly contribute to Canada’s ocean economy and the broader international blue economy. This understanding combined with a willingness to collaborate led to the Ocean Startup Project’s creation in 2020, launched as an initiative under Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. Our original partners included Genesis in Newfoundland and Labrador, Springboard Atlantic and Invest Nova Scotia (then Innovacorp), Prince Edward Island BioAlliance, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, Creative Destruction Lab and federal and provincial governments. Our mandate was clear and continues to be: we’re making Canada the best place in the world to start and grow an ocean company.

I was thrilled to be brought into the Project to work with the previous executive director and the team in the early days as new initiatives and programs were rapidly developed and launched (in the midst of a global pandemic nonetheless). Now as the new executive director, I have the pleasure of working even closer with these incredibly knowledgeable individuals who are truly committed to the success of early-stage ocean innovators.

Canada’s ocean startup ecosystem quickly gained impressive momentum and in 2022, we expanded our focus from pan-Atlantic to national to support more ocean innovators across the country. We welcomed new partners, British Columbia-based Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) and Quebec-based Technopole Maritime du Quebec (TMQ).

We’ve also seen various ocean-focused organizations and hubs emerge across the country. The increasing support for ocean innovation is a strong signal that ocean startups and the sustainable technologies they are developing have an increasingly important role in mitigating the impact of climate change, improving ocean health, and of course, in building Canada’s ocean economy. 

We measure our success by the achievements of our startups and in just four years, we have incredible stories from the 184 startup teams we have supported. We’ve seen companies such as On Deck Fisheries (BC), CORSphere (NL), Scient (NS) and Coastal Carbon (ON) use AI for sustainable ocean growth and receive significant Canada’s Ocean Supercluster funding. 

Our startups have raised more than $20 million, created more than 375 jobs, participated  in various national and international accelerator programs, and emerged as leaders in the ocean sector, inspiring the next generation of ocean startup innovators.

As we look to the future, our vision remains bold: Canada is and will continue to be the best place to start and grow an ocean startup. With the world’s longest coastlines, we have unparalleled access to our beautiful waters. Our partners from across the country are committed to supporting our work and collaborating to create programs and initiatives that ensure our ocean startup ecosystem is connected, thrives and becomes self-sustaining. This will enable us all, around the world, to reap the benefits of the innovative work being done by ocean startups now and in the future.

Thank you to our partners, early-stage founders, and all involved in this journey. Together, we are making waves in the ocean tech industry. Let’s continue to push boundaries and innovate for a sustainable future.