Blue Action Insider News
Blue Action
Climate Solutions for Coastal & Ocean Resilience via Blue Action Accelerator and Blue Action Lab
// Conservation Cove by Blue Action Lab: a hub for ‘regenerative tourism’
In the ever-evolving landscape of travel, a new trend has emerged that goes beyond the typical tourist experience. Millennials, the generation known for prioritizing experiences over possessions, are leading the charge in what is dubbed ‘regenerative tourism.’ This trend reflects a desire to not only explore the world but also leave a positive impact on the places they visit, whether it's through volunteering, supporting local businesses, or participating in conservation efforts. Conservation Cove by Blue Action Lab is a hub of education and community efforts in Grand Bahama, where visitors can witness the ecosystem restoration efforts of Mangrove Mania through our partners Waterkeepers the Queen Conch Lab | FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and our founding partners, Coral Vita.
// Sustaining Seagrass Ecosystems: The Crucial Role of Sea Cucumbers, Conch, and Innovative Technology
The Bahamas boasts a treasure trove of natural wonders, and among its most valuable assets are the sprawling seagrass beds that embellish its immaculate coastlines. While seagrass may not command the spotlight like coral reefs or enjoy the widespread recognition of mangroves, it stands as a silent powerhouse in the intricate tapestry of healthy coastal ecosystems.
The Government of The Bahamas has taken strides to protect, preserve and monetize these vast seagrass meadows through the formation of the blue carbon development company, Carbon Management. Carbon Management have used data derived from their project partner,Beneath The Waves, a marine research NGO, to create the baseline data necessary to bring these large blue carbon projects to life.
// Ocean Ledger visits Grand Bahama
Blue Action welcomed Blue Action Accelerator start-up, Ocean Ledger, to Grand Bahama earlier this month. Ocean Ledger quantifies the value of Coastal Ecosystems, using Earth observation, field data and AI to enable sustainable coastal development and power conservation at scale. Co-Founder, Paige Roepers explains that, ‘Ocean Ledger aims to holistically assess the integrity and value of marine ecosystems, considering the overlap and impact of commercial activities. We emphasize the importance of space and temporal information to make confident decisions related to mitigation and protection. By quantifying ecosystems and utilizing temporal spatial information, Ocean Ledger enables modelling for cost-benefit analysis and financing mechanisms like biodiversity and carbon credits.’
The Bahamas is home to extensive coastal ecosystems and with the assistance of mapping technologies like Ocean Ledger, we aim to empower governments and stakeholders to actively engage in preserving and leveraging these valuable resources.
// Letter from one of our Founders, Rupert Hayward
This year marks a period of expansion at Blue Action. With the finalization of funding for the Blue Action Accelerator, we celebrate last year's success in bringing eight stellar companies on board. These include Brineworks in Circular Economy and Ocean CDR, DRIFT Energy Ltd in Energy Transition, Jeevan Climate Solutions in Direct Air Carbon Capture, and Soarce in Bio-Materials, to name just a few. These companies are not only growing in impact but also in economic value, thanks to the support of our partners at Founders Factory New York .
Conservation Cove, our restoration hub in Grand Bahama, is currently undergoing expansion. Our recent partnership with Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Atlantic University has brought the Queen Conch Lab | FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute on board for a pilot Conch aquaculture project. Additional new projects include the incorporation of sea cucumber and seagrass aquaculture programs later this year.
Our vision for Conservation Cove extends beyond restoration technologies. We aim to create a comprehensive hub that includes co-working spaces, residences for experts, and education and workforce development capacity.
In the next newsletter, we will share Blue Action's NEW strategic relationships and areas of focus in 2024.