INNOVOCEAN 2024 Highlights the Potential of Ocean Solutions to Shape the Future
Press release for immediate distribution
SYDNEY, 25 NOVEMBER 2024
INNOVOCEAN 2024 Highlights the Potential of Ocean Solutions to Shape the Future
Last Wednesday, attendees from industry, government, investment, science, not-for-profits and, of course, innovation descended upon the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) on Sydney’s Darling Harbour for the only event of its kind in the APAC region - INNOVOCEAN. This year’s annual showcase event from Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) celebrated the brilliant progress being made by the organisation and the startups and entrepreneurs it supports whilst shining a bright light on the enormous potential of ocean solutions in shaping a better future.
The theme for INNOVOCEAN’s third year was the Deep Sea, which saw OIO take attendees on a journey to the furthest reaches of our planet, highlighting the extraordinary life that inhabits the world’s final frontier and raising awareness of the issues facing it.
The dynamic program explored the ocean from many angles. Attendees were invited to explore the “James Cameron – Challenging the Deep” exhibition before the event, included in their INNOVOCEAN ticket thanks to Venue Partner the ANMM. OIO worked with two Inspiration Partners this year: Deep Rising and the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, with the latter providing incredible footage taken at depths of up to 5000m below sea level. A compilation reel of strange and fantastical deep sea life immersed guests in a new world as they entered the theatre.
Enypniastes eximia, an elusive sea cucumber less formally known as the “headless chicken monster” - courtesy of Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre.
Matt Poll (Manager of Indigenous Programs, ANMM) delivering an Acknowledgement of Sea Country
Matt Poll, the ANMM’s Manager of Indigenous Programs, kicked proceedings off with a fantastic Acknowledgement of Sea Country. He told the story of how, over tens of thousands of years, the sea and waterways have shaped this continent and sustained the many people who have lived here. He talked about how watercraft used by Aboriginal people form ancient maps of influence and adaptation, and how we can reconcile different ways of knowing to develop a fuller understanding of this ancient continent.
There was a powerful and immersive oceanic keynote from award-winning author James Bradley, whose book “Deep Water: The World in the Ocean” was also the subject of a recent Ocean Impact Podcast episode. James highlighted how the ocean has shaped our global society, and how we must rapidly embrace and respect the ocean as the defining, central feature of a balanced, hospitable future on this planet. James was also kind enough to sign books and chat with attendees during end-of-program celebrations.
The crowd was entranced by the trailer for Deep Rising, narrated by Jason Momoa, which shines a light on the power play for polymetallic nodules on the sea floor. Laura Clarke, Co-executive Producer and Head of Impact for Deep Rising announced at INNOVOCEAN the launch of a world-first, transformative impact campaign to help protect the deep seabed and reclaim it from mining companies. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) states that the seabed in the High Seas is “the common heritage of humankind”, belonging to all of us and for future generations. However – despite scientists warning that we don’t know enough about the impacts of deep sea mining, coupled with a severe lack of regulation – an area of seabed the size of India has been reserved in the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) for deep sea mining. Laura’s impactful and moving speech invited guests to join the World’s Largest Ocean Dispute, claiming back what is rightfully ours.
Example of a Deep Sea Birthright Certificate
Laura Clarke speaking at INNOVOCEAN
The campaign has mapped the seabed under threat into 8.17 billion GPS coordinates – representing each human being on the planet. When someone claims their unique coordinates, it transforms into a beautiful Birthright Certificate, minted as a DEEPSEA NFT on a CO2-positive blockchain. Allowing everyone to claim a piece – not for profit, but for stewardship, future generations, and the well-being of all life on Planet Ocean.
““It [the deep sea bed] belongs to our children, and we’re going to claim it back,” said Laura Clarke, “and I’m very privileged to work with the Pacific Island nation of Palau, who has already gone to the International Seabed Authority and stood up for humanity as a stakeholder in this.” ”
A lineup of extraordinary panellists discussed “Shaping Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Economy,” they were:
Erin Coldham (Chief Development Officer, Southerly Ten)
Matt Flood (Co-Director, Sustainable Ocean Plan Taskforce, Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment & Water)
Jas Chambers (Chair & Co-founder, Ocean Decade Australia)
Angus McDonald (CEO & Co-founder, Marine Emissions Reduction Coalition (MERC))
And moderated by our very own Elisa-Marie Dumas!
This expert panel explored how cross-sector collaboration between industries like offshore energy, fisheries & aquaculture, maritime, and marine recreation & tourism can help protect and support a growing ocean economy. It touched on:
Ocean Impact Organisation and Southerly Ten’s recently launched Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge, a collaboration seeking to find innovative solutions to enable the offshore wind industry to have a positive impact on climate, biodiversity, and the ocean.
Matt Flood’s insights into the Government’s progress in finalising Australia's first ever Sustainable Ocean Plan were met with enthusiasm and excitement for what is possible when diverse sectors are invited along the journey of consultation, creation, and implementation.
Angus McDonald mentioned how the domestic maritime industry – as with other sectors – is waiting for the government to provide vision and regulatory certainty with incentives and disincentives made plain for all to work with. Decarbonisation options exist, but there’s a need to start slow and help businesses work out the right solutions for them.
Jas Chambers articulated the history of Australia's efforts to establish ocean governance frameworks - and why she believes strongly in the establishment of a dedicated Ocean "department" to develop and lead coordinated efforts that span all industries and ocean stakeholders.
Erin Coldham touched on how ocean energy technologies, such as offshore wind, have transformative potential, but their mainstream adoption depends on greater investment, supportive policies, and market readiness.
The panel noted that Australia has the potential to lead global ocean sustainability efforts, but that challenges such as funding, policy alignment, and resource management must be addressed to fully realise this opportunity.
A sustainable ocean economy of the future will be characterised by reduced emissions, scaled renewable energy projects, and strong international leadership, supported by sustainable practices and inclusive growth.
A highlight of the event amongst INNOVOCEAN guests was the Ocean Impact Accelerator Program (OIAP) live pitches. This segment featured the 2024 cohort – including Australian startups Blue Carbon and Washbox, New Zealand startups Ocean Intelligence and Pinpoint Earth, and Chilean startup AQUIT (via video) – showcasing their groundbreaking solutions to complex ocean challenges, and how they’re working tirelessly to improve ocean health. OIO was a proud supporting partner of the UQ Ventures Industry Challenge this year, with students from the winning team, HexaRoot, getting the chance to pitch alongside the OIAP cohort at INNOVOCEAN – well done Nadya, Wan and Khayil!
Guests then moved into the ANMM’s Tasman Light Gallery for an epic post-event celebration with networking, music from DJ Mister Mister, a chance to explore the Startup Zone, and plenty of opportunities to connect with OIO’s community and the broader ocean health innovation ecosystem.
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For press enquiries please contact:
Tim Silverwood
Head of Marketing and Community
info@ocean-impact.org
About OIO
Founded in February 2020 by visionaries Nick Chiarelli and Tim Silverwood, Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) has emerged as Australia's leading ocean impact ecosystem and startup accelerator, dedicated to enhancing the health of the world's oceans. Headquartered in Sydney, OIO curates comprehensive innovation programs designed to help people start, grow, and invest in businesses that positively impact ocean health.
