Discover the industry experts driving sustainable ocean growth at the Sustainable Blue Economy Summit at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax on September 18th. From advancing ocean technology and marine conservation to building resilient coastal economies and accelerating investment in ocean industries, this year’s speaker lineup brings together influential voices from across Canada and around the world.
This event is your opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow leaders who are helping shape the future of the blue economy.
Featured Speaker: The Hon. Iris Petten, Senate of Canada
8:50 AM – 9:05 AM: The Honorable Senator Iris Petten’s Keynote Address
The Hon. Iris G. Petten is an entrepreneur, community volunteer, and senior executive who was appointed to the Senate of Canada on May 3rd, 2023. Born and raised in Port de Grave, Newfoundland and Labrador, a vibrant fishing community, Senator Petten has maintained a close connection with coastal communities over her 35 years in the fishing industry. By 1998, Senator Petten was a founding shareholder and Vice-President of Grand Atlantic Seafoods, a processing company wholly owned by fish harvesters. She then co-founded Ocean Choice International (OCI) in 2000 and served as a vice-president until 2008
The Honourable Iris Petten brings a unique perspective on the policies needed to support sustainable economic growth while protecting marine ecosystems. Attendees will gain insight into how government and industry can work together to strengthen Canada’s blue economy.
Featured Speaker: Hari Balasubramanian, Founder | EcoAdvisors, IMAGINE Leader
9:10 AM – 9:30 AM: Opening Keynote | The Trillion Dollar Ocean: From Global Opportunity to Ocean Performance
Hari Balasubramanian is a proven sustainability expert who is driven by the belief that all types of capital can be deployed to achieve impact. Hari began his career in tropical marine conservation and traded in his SCUBA gear for a business suit when he founded Certified B Corporation® EcoAdvisors and EcoInvestors Capital which, together, advise and invest for sustainability at scale. He has worked alongside over 300 projects in 5 languages and 60+ countries and influenced over U$6B in sustainability-oriented financing – helping protect threatened species, forests, oceans, and the people who depend upon them.
Drawing on his international experience, Hari Balasubramanian will focus on the Trillian Dollar Global Blue Economy and the role sustainable investment plays in moving ocean industries forward. He will examine where Canada is well positioned to strengthen its role in the next phase of ocean economy growth.
Featured Speaker: Akash Rastogi, Chief Capital Strategy Officer | Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
10:40 AM – 11:30 AM: Panel | Models, Markets & Mechanisms for Financing Ocean-Based Solutions
Akash is currently the Chief Capital Strategy Officer at Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, co-founder of the Reykjavik Protocol, mentor at CDL – Oceans Stream, member of Canadian National Carbon Management Coalition, mentor to numerous ocean-based CDR startups and a Board member of Humber Bay Sailing Centre.
Akash Rastogi’s experience in capital markets combined with his passions of ocean-based climate mitigation solutions brings a strategic perspective to this panel session. Panelists will explore the investment models and market opportunities that are helping accelerate the development and deployment of ocean-based solutions.
Featured Speaker: Christine Penney, Vice President Sustainability & Public Affairs | Clearwater
11:35 AM – 12:25: Panel | Building Indigenous Economic Partnerships
Christine Penney is Vice President of Sustainability and Public Affairs for Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership. Clearwater is proudly Indigenous owned and is a global leader in sustainable wild seafood. With over 30 years of dedication at Clearwater, Christine serves on the senior leadership team and was Clearwater’s first female executive.
Attendees will gain insights into the collaboration models that are helping strengthen Indigenous enterprise and create lasting economic opportunities across Canada’s ocean industries.
Featured Speaker: Pierre Bilodeau, CEO | Arctic Net
1:15 PM – 1:50: Connecting Research, Partnerships and Opportunity in Canada’s Arctic
Dr. Pierre Bilodeau is CEO of ArcticNet, where he leads the transformation of Canada’s national Arctic research network into a sustainable, independent non-profit organization. A strong advocate of inclusive research and community-led initiatives, he is committed to strengthening partnerships with Inuit and other Indigenous communities, expanding national and international collaborations, and advancing the mobilization of knowledge to address climate change, northern socio-economic transformation, and Arctic sovereignty.
This session will highlight critical research, emerging opportunities in the North, and the importance of science-driven decision-making in building a sustainable and resilient blue economy.
Featured Speaker: Dr. Erin Bertrand, Acting Scientific Director and CEO | Ocean Frontier Institute
1:55 PM – 2:35 PM: Panel | Scaling Ocean Climate Industries from Research to Deployment
Dr. Erin Bertrand is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair at Dalhousie University, where she leads the Marine Microbial Proteomics and Trace Nutrient Biogeochemistry Lab. Her research investigates molecular-scale microbial processes that shape marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles, with a growing emphasis on place-based, relational research with coastal communities. Dr. Bertrand co-chairs the PRiMO Working Group of the International Scientific Committee on Ocean Research and represents Canada on the International GEOTRACES Scientific Steering Committee. Dr. Bertrand has been affiliated with OFI as a researcher since 2016 and is currently a lead researcher on the UNCERTAIN-SEA project.
Dr. Erin Bertrand’s scientific background will bring a valuable perspective to this session, as speakers explore collaboration, innovation, and knowledge mobilization in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our oceans.
Featured Speaker: Delton Jones, Vice Chairman | Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC)
4:20 PM – 5:10: Panel | Global Partnerships for Ocean Growth
Mr. Delton Jones is a Development Economist with over 20 years’ experience in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Caribbean and South Pacific Islands. In addition, he was formerly Turks and Caicos Islands PS/Finance Chief Economist (1992-2012), and during 2013-2016, Economic Adviser in the Economic Development Division, Pacific Community, Fiji, where he worked as lead economist on maritime transport sector planning projects funded by the World Bank and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, for eight Pacific countries.
Bringing a global perspective from the Caribbean region, Delton Jones will discuss opportunities for international collaboration, sustainable maritime development, trade, and investment.
Don’t Miss the Conversations Defining the Future of the Blue Economy
The Sustainable Blue Economy Summit is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and action. Join industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and community stakeholders who are working together to build a thriving and sustainable ocean economy.
Register now and be part of the movement shaping the future of the sustainable blue economy: https://oceanalliancecanada.ca/blue-economy-summit-2026/
