Innovating for the Blue Economy: Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and veritree’s Ocean Climate Project

Innovating for the Blue Economy: Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and veritree’s Ocean Climate Project

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster recently unveiled an exciting $5 million initiative aimed at propelling ocean climate efforts, spearheaded by veritree. The project, known as “The Verifying Ocean Climate Impacts Project,” seeks to fill a crucial gap in the ocean industry by developing sustainable, scalable, and measurable methods to assess kelp’s role in carbon fixation, biodiversity enhancement, and overall ocean health. 

But what does this entail, and how will veritree bring these ambitions to life? Let’s dive in.

Understanding Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

First off, what exactly is a “Supercluster”? It’s a large-scale, collaborative initiative designed to drive significant economic growth and innovation in a particular sector by bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders. 

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) is a powerhouse for driving transformative growth and cementing Canada’s position as a leader in the sustainable blue economy. The OSC is a nationwide ocean collective that unites startups, scaleups, and established organizations from coast to coast to coast. This diverse group spans fisheries, aquaculture, bioresources, offshore resources, marine renewables, defense, transportation, and ocean technology sectors, all working together to fast-track the commercialization of top-tier Canadian ocean solutions that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. 

Tackling the Challenge

There’s an urgent need for nature-based investment, but scaling up these efforts is hampered by a lack of transparency, measurability, and accessible tools. In particular, ocean-based ecosystems are lagging behind, as are the investments required to restore them. Historically, the focus has been on terrestrial restoration, and while we now have comprehensive tools to manage the entire lifecycle of land-based projects, complete with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and methodologies, we still lack similar tools for measuring our marine ecosystems. 

Introducing verisea

Enter veritree’s emerging MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) system and Ocean Index, cunningly named verisea. This innovative system aims to establish indicator criteria tailored specifically to ocean environments. While benchmarks for land restoration, such as addressing drought or wildfire risks, are well-defined, the ocean requires unique considerations. In rolling out this methodology, veritree seeks to uncover how to assess and understand kelp’s role on our communities, biodiversity, and our environment.

Our coastal regions remain a challenge due to their difficulty to navigate and access, compounded by shifting water and wind conditions. In developing a SOP, veritree’s goal is to prototype efficient systems that overcome these obstacles, such as deploying floating monitors, timers, and leveraging solar power. In essence, verisea will build out the playbook to allow for greater understanding of the threats, indicators, processes, and efficiencies for kelp restoration.

A Collaborative Approach

While veritree is leading this project, it’s certainly not a solo effort. Partnering with Coastal Kelp Inc., we’re co-creating and implementing scalable designs that ensure benefits are accessible across various regions, promoting inclusivity. The Ocean Restoration SOP and Ocean Index are being designed to empower communities to manage local projects, enhancing ownership and commitment to sustainability.

Additionally, workforce development training in kelp farming and restoration techniques will create sustainable employment opportunities, especially in coastal and Indigenous communities. This not only drives economic growth but also fosters active participation in the blue economy.

Charting a Path Forward

By leveraging the combined strengths of diverse partners, we are pioneering advancements that will pave the way for future ocean restoration projects. This initiative promises not only to enhance our understanding and stewardship of marine ecosystems but also to create economic opportunities and foster community engagement.

Stay tuned as we continue to innovate and work towards a sustainable future for our oceans and prosperous blue economy for generations to come.