Investable Oceans

A fresh perspective on our website home page ?? We're delighted that our new website landing page banner video was shot by by IO team member Morgan Bennett-Smith in the Red Sea last year. Capturing these kinds of wave shots on a shallow reef flat is no easy feat. From Morgan, “I almost never shoot in the middle of the day—I’m obsessive about early morning and late afternoon light. This clip was taken around 4 p.m., which is why it has that shifting glow filtering through the water. But the real challenge? Trying to stay steady with a big camera in hand while the waves push you around. Branching coral is not forgiving if you miscalculate!” We’re always looking for new ways to highlight the ocean’s beauty and power—check out the new banner and let us know what you think! https://lnkd.in/eXRKPqhZ #InvestableOceans #OceanImagery #BlueEconomy #Underwaterphotography

"The main reason we are losing our marine capital is because it is grossly underpriced." The?ocean economy—from fisheries and offshore energy to shipping and tourism—generates?$1.5 trillion annually?and is projected to?double by 2030. But as Edward Barbier highlights for?Vox Media EU, continued exploitation is depleting marine capital at an unsustainable rate, putting both ecosystems and industries at risk. Key challenges: - A massive funding gap?– Between?$120B–$154B per year?is needed to restore and protect marine capital. - Harmful subsidies must go?–?$35B in annual fishing subsidies?primarily benefits industrial fleets, driving overfishing and ecosystem decline. - The private sector must step up?– Major ocean industries could mobilize?$83B–$186B annually?to fund conservation efforts that also support their long-term viability. With?solutions like shipping decarbonization, blue carbon investments, and marine protected area expansion, we can?align economic growth with ocean health—but only if?governments, businesses, and investors act. How do we accelerate this transition? Let’s keep the conversation going. Read more:?https://lnkd.in/dSVQjCAN #BlueEconomy #OceanFinance #SustainableInvesting #MarineConservation #ClimateAction #InvestInTheOcean

Investing in aquaculture: the year's key trends. A recent report by Linda Chen Seckman at Hatch highlights that?venture funding for aquaculture startups fell by 28% in 2024 ($619 million compared to the previous year’s $854 million) reflecting a broader slowdown in the VC sector. However, the?number of deals actually increased by 15%, signaling continued investor interest in the industry’s long-term potential. Key insights: ???Next-generation farming?emerged as the dominant sector, securing?48% of total VC funding—driven by land-based RAS and offshore aquaculture investments. ???Nutrition & regenerative aquaculture?attracted significant funding, led by insect-based proteins, single-cell alternatives, and seaweed farming. ???Regulatory shifts?are reshaping the sector, with some governments tightening restrictions (e.g., Canada’s phase-out of open-net salmon farming) while others invest in expansion (e.g., Australia’s $15M pledge to boost aquaculture). ???Market adoption still lags innovation, with game-changing tech—like sea lice lasers—taking?10+ years?to gain widespread use, posing challenges for VC returns. Despite the funding dip, the?fundamentals of the aquaculture industry remain strong. With consumer demand recovering, feed prices stabilizing, and sustainability at the forefront of industry discussions,?2025 could present new opportunities. ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eApSuQya #BlueEconomy #Aquaculture #SustainableInvesting #FoodSecurity #ImpactInvesting #Ocean #Finance

Congratulations to Sonali Siriwardena and Simmons & Simmons on curating a comprehensive and multidisciplinary introduction to the global blue economy! It was a pleasure for our Founder Ted Janulis to spend time with moderator Kamile Jankauskyte as they shared views on the role of blue finance in building a sustainable blue economy (Episode 4). We highly encourage you to listen to this series – whether in full or in part – as it illuminates important concepts and practices for successful and sustained ocean stewardship.?????? #BlueEconomy #OceanFinance #OceanStewardship #Podcast

Nature-Positive Investments in Ocean Startups Are on the Rise. A recent report from our good friend?Aly Rose at CREO?highlights the growing momentum behind ocean-positive investments, with funding for habitat management, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable ocean industries expanding rapidly. ?? $2.2 billion in venture funding has been directed toward startups driving nature-positive innovation. ?? 84% of funding supports companies transitioning from traditional industries to sustainable ocean-based sectors. ?? Ecosystem restoration alone has attracted $570 million, with investments in habitat health, nature tech, and ocean-enabled industrial transitions increasing. But challenges remain: ?? Early-stage funding for ocean startups is falling short, with Seed - Series B funding declining since 2022. ?? Structural inefficiencies—from fund-size mismatches to a lack of awareness about ocean investment opportunities—are limiting the sector’s full potential. ?? Only 9% of total nature-positive investments currently go toward ocean solutions, making SDG 14 (Life Below Water) the most underfunded Sustainable Development Goal. With the ocean valued at $24 trillion, the investment potential is immense. And there is now a solid network of incubators and investors supporting venture companies. Encouragingly, Aly notes: “As asset managers adapt to this trend by developing innovative products, such as larger sovereign and corporate blue bonds, the future looks promising for capital flows into ocean.” ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eYZW5cxk #BlueEconomy #ImpactInvesting #OceanFinance #SustainableInvesting #NaturePositive

This #Valentine’sDay, we're taking a moment to appreciate some of the ocean’s most fascinating love stories. Like these devoted marine species, we need to invest in protecting what we love—ensuring a healthy, thriving ocean for generations to come. Don’t forget, the ocean is the “heart” of a $3 trillion economy...?? The Albatross: Masters of long-distance relationships, these seabirds mate for life and reunite each year with intricate dance rituals to strengthen their bond. The Clownfish: These charismatic reef fish form lifelong bonds with their anemone homes—and each other. In some cases, these bonded groups can remain together for decades! The attached image was taken of two Spine-Cheeked Clownfish in Papua New Guinea by IO team member Morgan Bennett-Smith. The smaller of the pair is the male; if the female in the group dies, the largest male rapidly grows and replaces her in the anemone. The Anglerfish: When deep-sea anglerfish find a mate, the tiny male fuses to the female’s body, sharing her bloodstream for life—now?that’s?commitment! The Seahorse: Seahorse couples perform a daily "morning dance," intertwining tails as they swim together. And in a rare role reversal, it's the males who carry and birth the babies. The Penguin: Some penguin species, like Adelie and Gentoo penguins, search for the perfect engagement pebble to gift their mate; an ocean marriage proposal! Investing in #ocean conservation, sustainable industries, and #innovation is how we ensure these love stories continue for generations to come. Happy Valentine’s Day!??????

Alexandra Cousteau writes: "A healthy ocean isn’t just about biodiversity or beauty—it’s the foundation of a thriving economy." Alexandra’s reflection reminds us of the ocean’s role in sustaining life and livelihoods, from providing food security for billions to acting as a critical buffer against climate change by sequestering carbon. Yet, overfishing, pollution, and climate change are pushing marine ecosystems to the brink, threatening not only biodiversity but also the global economy and vulnerable communities. The good news? The ocean has an incredible capacity to heal if we give it the chance. By investing in restorative economies—restoring coastal habitats, supporting sustainable fisheries, and reducing ocean pollution—we can create jobs, foster innovation, and build a resilient future for both people and the planet. As Cousteau writes, the choice is ours: “Will we continue down a path of short-term exploitation, or will we invest in a regenerative future that ensures the ocean continues to provide for generations to come?” ?? https://lnkd.in/ehT4BvYD #BlueEconomy #OceanConservation #Sustainability #ClimateAction #OceanOptimism

????Financing Sustainable Seafood A recent article by Robin Hicks for Reuters News Agency explores the transformative potential of sustainable aquaculture and seaweed farming, emphasizing their critical role in reversing ocean degradation. Key takeaways: -Sustainable aquaculture can relieve pressure on depleted fish stocks, sequester carbon, and improve air quality, offering greater climate mitigation potential than ocean renewables or transport. -Blended finance and debt-for-nature swaps are essential tools to de-risk investments and unlock funding in high-risk, underdeveloped areas. -Better data, equitable funding, and capacity building are crucial to help small-scale operators thrive in the blue economy. As ocean explorer Fabien Cousteau aptly says: “Nature does not work like the Nasdaq.” To truly protect and restore ocean ecosystems, we need to align investments with ecological realities and support those at the sharp end of the ocean economy. Impact-driven startups like Coast 4C and innovative mechanisms like coral bonds show what’s possible when finance meets sustainable practices. But to scale these solutions, the blue economy needs a flood of investment—far beyond the current trickle of 1% of global finance flows. It’s clear: sustainable seafood isn’t just about food—it’s about climate, livelihoods, and a thriving blue economy. ???? Read more: https://lnkd.in/e9upiHaQ #BlueEconomy #SustainableSeafood #Aquaculture #ClimateAction

?? Coral Reefs: a Once-in-a-Lifetime Climate Investment Opportunity Coral reefs contribute $9.9 trillion annually in ecosystem services, from fisheries and coastal protection to tourism and medical research. Yet, they remain dangerously underfunded, despite their critical role in climate resilience and the massive threats they currently face. A recent article from the World Economic Forum highlights why 2025 could be a turning point for coral reef investment: ?? Financial innovation is scaling up, with reef insurance programs and blended finance unlocking billions in conservation funding. For example, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), supported by our friends at Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance Sea Change Impact Financing Facility and United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), has been a game changer. ?? Insurance and development banks are recognizing their value, using new mechanisms like the MesoAmerican Reef Insurance Program to support rapid recovery after climate events. ?? The window for action is closing—90% of remaining coral reefs are at risk of collapse by 2050 without urgent investment. Investing in coral reefs is not just an environmental priority—it’s a strategic, high-impact economic decision that aligns with forward-thinking finance. Read more: https://lnkd.in/efimAb3J #BlueEconomy #CoralReefs #ClimateFinance #SustainableInvesting #NatureBasedSolutions #Ocean

2025: A Breakthrough Year for the Regenerative Blue Economy? With growing investor interest, maturing financing solutions, and major global initiatives on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the regenerative blue economy. Last week’s article from the World Economic Forum highlights four key reasons why momentum is building: ?? Businesses are more engaged in nature than ever before, recognizing the financial and strategic value of ocean investments. ?? Ocean financing solutions are scaling up, with tools like blue bonds, blended finance, and debt-for-nature swaps unlocking billions in capital. ?? Policy barriers are gradually being overcome, with initiatives like the High Seas Treaty and the Global Biodiversity Framework helping drive sustainable ocean governance. ?? The investable ocean innovation landscape is expanding, spanning ocean renewables, sustainable seafood, blue carbon, and marine conservation. With the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) and the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) taking place this year, global leaders have a chance to align capital, policy, and innovation to accelerate ocean-based solutions. The opportunities are immense, and the time to act is now. ?? ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHUR7Xxj #BlueEconomy #RegenerativeFinance #SustainableInvesting #ClimateAction #OceanInnovation #Ocean