What’s happening in Oregon’s Blue Economy?
It’s been an eventful few weeks for work around our local food systems.
Partners, legislators, businesses and individuals across the state of Oregon are hard at work connecting resources and garnering support for the future of our food systems, and much of that work starts right here on the Oregon Coast.
What has the Oregon Ocean cluster been up to?
On November 18, Oregon Coast Visitors Association Director Marcus Hinz presented at the Senate Interim Committee On Energy and Environment, covering where Oregon is at with Blue Economy activity across the state, including our vision for 100% fish utilization, and how this kind of innovation is an opportunity for all of Oregon, not just the Oregon Coast.
PS: On November 19, Darlene Khalafi, Local Ocean (and Oregon’s first) 100% Fish Business Innovation Specialist, will present on 100% fish utilization before House Interim Committee On Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade.
“At this time, we are urging legislators to create a 2027 Blue Economy task force and policy package that would take a 360 degree approach to our food systems including aligning on data collection, assessing regulations, creation of innovation incubators for entrepreneurs, and offering support for R&D efforts,” said Hinz.
“With investment into our ability to do innovation, research, testing, and co-packing here in Oregon, we would keep more profit in our local economy and create a more resilient food system that can withstand supply-chain disruptions.”
This presentation comes after the Oregon Community Food System Network gathering on the Oregon Coast (November 5-7), where over 150 food system leaders came together to learn from each other and build a stronger statewide movement for a better food system.
We also attended the Mariculture Future Forum at Southwestern Oregon Community College, which envisioned ways of advancing Oregon’s mariculture sector. Oregon has a small yet mighty oyster farming industry, and we’re seeing emerging practices like urchin ranching and onshore dulse cultivation, but our mariculture efforts are largely underdeveloped compared to our neighbors and our full potential. Ecotrust and the Oregon Coastal Mariculture Collaborative are two organizations working to change that by advancing mariculture in Oregon and building widespread enthusiasm for this vital work.
What’s next?
We’re constantly inspired by the ever-growing number of partners and supporters getting on board for the vital work of strengthening our coastal (and statewide) food systems. There is momentum building this year, and it’s all leading up to the second annual Blue Foods Forum, which will take place on February 1 and 2 in Portland.
Blue foods connect Oregon’s forests, farms, watersheds, coastlines, and coastal communities, and the Blue Foods Forum is where those connections become opportunities. This is the premier event for people who want to build, support, or scale solutions in the blue economy.
Save the date, more details will be coming soon!