The Ocean Supercluster was launched in 2018 amid much fanfare about creating a thriving blue economy by 2035. Is it living up to the hype?

In November 2018, the federal government invested roughly $153 million—to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the private sector—in the Ocean Supercluster (OSC). Its purpose? To drive technology solutions in the ocean economy with a focus on aquaculture, alternative energies, fisheries, transportation and other ocean industries. The funding period was for five years, expiring in 2022. In 2023, funding was renewed in the amount of $125 million to see the organization through to 2028.

The long-term goal is ambitious: to multiply the size of the blue economy by a factor of five—to a value of $220 billion—by the year 2035. The World Bank defines blue economy as “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.”

Funding was to be allocated at a project rather than company level, with a focus on applied research; that is, any technology developments needed to have a clear path to commercialization. The OSC had an Atlantic Canadian focus in its early days but that was quickly elevated to a national scope.

After six years, the time is right to pause and take stock of how the OSC has performed. Has it achieved key goals? Have its funded projects been successful?

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