Blue economy innovation hub AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles has announced major first-year milestones of its Deep Blue Decade Initiative (DBDI), unveiling new partnerships across Jordan, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Tonga.
AltaSea is a 35-acre campus that brings together science, business, and education to accelerate ocean-based solutions. It provides facilities for marine research, regenerative aquaculture, renewable energy, and emerging ocean technologies–while serving as a vital bridge to workforce development and community engagement.
The Deep Blue Decade Initiative (DBDI) brings this model of collaboration and innovation to coastal regions around the world to create a global network of hubs that accelerate ocean solutions and drive economic growth.
“The ocean absorbs more than 90% of excess heat and 30% of CO₂ emissions, yet remains the least funded of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Terry Tamminen, President & CEO of AltaSea. “The Deep Blue Decade is our answer: a global network of hubs that derisks innovation, attracts catalytic capital, and delivers resilience at the pace this crisis demands. If we lose the ocean, we lose the planet.”
Some of their first year DBDI programs involved
- Working with Indonesia on sustainable blue economy projects that protect marine ecosystems while creating new opportunities for education, workforce development, and community resilience. AltaSea is in discussions to expand its network to Bali.
- Collaborating with Ashlan and Philippe Cousteau’s Voyacy Regen to create workforce and community development programs for projects that build “shield reefs” as critical coastal marine infrastructure. Their first innovation hub was launched in partnership with Royal Court of Jordan in June of 2025. This hub is pioneering coral propagation, 3D-printed reef restoration, and aquaculture pilots, positioning Aqaba as a leading technology, innovation, and sustainability hub for the Middle East. AltaSea will collaborate with Voyacy on further expansion of Innovation Hubs around the world.
- In Tanzania the organization is advancing innovative financing strategies that unite governments, philanthropy, and the private sector to ensure blue economy growth is both sustainable and widely shared.
- In Tonga, DBDI is conducting marine science research, including natural analog studies of hydrothermal vents. These efforts aim to pioneer safe, scalable marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) solutions.
Beyond the country collaborations, AltaSea also announced key partnerships that will fuel DBDI’s growth:
- Pegasus Capital Advisors, led by Craig Cogut, signed a Blue Business Development MOU with AltaSea, with UNDP as an observer, to unlock catalytic capital for ocean projects.
- Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation deepened its agreement with AltaSea, further strengthening international collaboration.
- DOER Marine (founded by Sylvia Earle and Liz Taylor), The Honu Project, and Braid Theory joined to advance marine robotics, conservation technologies, and blue economy ventures.
“The blue economy is projected to double to $3 trillion by 2030, but this growth must include everyone,” said Jenny Krusoe, EVP/COO of AltaSea. “Through the Deep Blue Decade Initiative, we’re ensuring that young people in places like Aqaba, Zanzibar, and Tonga have the same access to STEM education, training, and entrepreneurship as those in California or Europe.”
