Ocean program

Canada has the longest coastline in the world, with borders on 3 oceans and the world's largest inland waterway. Although most Canadians live far from the coasts, we have a shared dependency on the ocean for trade, food security, an energy source, and employment. Across the globe, we also rely on the ocean as a natural buffer to climate change, and as a vital source of oxygen.

But increased human activity and warmer water temperatures have had disastrous effects on the overall health of the ocean. Its ability to sustain life, and support human needs, is rapidly decreasing.

Similar to the "green" economy, the "blue" economy is a growing effort to ensure that ocean resources are used in a sustainable way for economic growth. The NRC's Ocean program supports Canada's Ocean Supercluster and is helping grow our blue economy by placing equal value on ocean health and economic gain as we support the development of technology to improve ocean health.

The program has been endorsed as a Decade Implementing Partner of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and is aligned with Canada's first Blue Economy Strategy, led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. At the close of the NRC Ocean program, by 2027, our goal is to see the ocean on the path to recovery.