On the morning of February 2, 150 entrepreneurs, chefs, makers, creatives, policy experts, students, and more gathered in Portland to connect and collaborate around a shared goal: a vision for a flourishing blue foods economy in Oregon.
The conference followed a sold-out Seafaring Speakeasy that celebrated our coastal bounty through art and connection. Nearly 350 people attended the event, meeting the incredible chefs, artists, and makers who are pioneering innovation across the blue foods space.
On Monday, attendees walked through the doors of the Redd, transformed into an auditorium filled with art and goods that honor the ocean and its abundance. Artists like Orinana Pointdexter, Jasmine Novack, and Duncan Berry lined the walls with visual stories, alongside artisans and chefs sharing innovative products that utilize more of our local catch—like fish leather jewelry and the newly launched bone broth from Local Ocean.
Architect Bill Tripp led a panel on ecosystem design, introducing the metaphor of the puzzle box: each of us holds a piece, but gatherings like this allow us to step back and see the full picture—the image on the cover of the box, and the future we’re collectively building toward.
This big vision is what we work backwards from, designing our businesses, spaces, and conversations with care, intention, and an eye toward the bigger picture.
In practice, that means learning from those who have been there before—people working deep within different corners of the puzzle. We heard from policy experts like Ephraim Froehlich, entrepreneurs like Aaron Huang, and network builders and subject-matter experts like Adam Bent and Dr. Alexandra Leeper, who brought an international perspective from places a few steps ahead, where the puzzle is already taking shape.
Following an unconference approach, the goal of the day was to spark conversations led by the people in the room. Each attendee had the opportunity to stand up and share a 30-second pitch—whether a project, a question, or a request for support to move their vision forward.
From there, working groups spread across the venue to tackle topics ranging from 100% utilization, to storytelling through art, to deep dives into the policy needed to move us closer to that finished picture.
All of this unfolded against the backdrop of the start of Oregon’s legislative short session—and the timing of this momentum was no accident. Many people in the room have been hard at work advancing bills that support those of us connected to the ocean and to one another, including efforts to establish a Blue Economy Task Force and allocate funding for 100% fish and industrial symbiosis. (Learn more here.)
Much has happened since the first Blue Foods Forum in 2025, and even more will grow out of this year’s convening. Taken together, the notes tell a story of momentum—a collective desire to take action for the health of our ocean, our food systems, our communities, and our state.
Across industries and conversations, one thing was clear: this gathering offered a moment to reflect, reconnect, and move forward with renewed hope and energy for the next wave of work. It’s powerful to see what emerges when people come together with purpose.
The movement is growing. The rooms are filling. And the time is now to be all in for the future of blue foods and our regional economy.
Who was in the room?
Across the speakeasy and symposium, nearly 480 attendees joined the conversation—chefs, makers, entrepreneurs, policy experts, students, and those working deep in seafood and coastal economies. While coastal communities were well represented, the Forum also drew a strong showing from the Portland metro area, reflecting how this work is reaching beyond the coast and gaining statewide momentum. From producers and operators to researchers, investors, and policymakers, the mix of expertise and perspective made clear that Oregon’s blue foods economy is moving from conversation to coordination—and that the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together.
About Oregon Ocean Cluster:
The Oregon Ocean Cluster (OOC) is a collaborative initiative dedicated to strengthening Oregon’s regional ocean food economy by keeping more locally harvested seafood in local markets. Focused on enhancing availability, value, and equity across the seafood supply chain, OOC works with coastal communities, businesses, educators, and partners to develop shared infrastructure, grow workforce pathways, catalyze innovation, and expand market access for sustainable ocean-based products. By coordinating resources and building connections across sectors, OOC advances resilient and regenerative blue food systems that strengthen coastal communities and contribute to a more resilient Oregon economy.