The Future of Blue
Building a Thriving Blue Economy in Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. The Bay supports a vibrant and diverse coastal economy, including commercial and recreational fisheries, diving, marine research and conservation, tourism, and hospitality. But these sectors, and the marine ecosystems they depend upon, are at an inflection point. Climate change is disrupting ocean conditions, which in turn affects the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on them. Governance structures and business interests are fragmented, making coordination difficult and often slowing collective progress.
The Future of Blue is working to change that by connecting all the players, fostering conversation, and inspiring collective action to shape a coastal economy that supports both healthy ecosystems and thriving communities here and across California.
Led by Regenerative California in partnership with the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, the initiative brings together stakeholders, including fishermen, divers, ecotourism operators, scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, to build a shared vision for Monterey Bay’s blue economy. We provide the structure and the collaboration needed to turn that vision into action.
Photo Credit: David Hills
What is the “blue economy” really?
The blue economy includes all economic activity connected to the ocean—fishing, tourism, hospitality, research, recreation, ports, and coastal industries.
The current value of California’s blue economy is $45-50 billion. Because Monterey Bay’s tourism and hospitality industry is centered on the beauty and resources of the marine ecosystem, a focus on protecting, celebrating, and building a thriving economy around the coastal ocean takes center stage in this initiative.
Key focus areas include:
Strengthening and modernizing working waterfronts, including regional seafood infrastructure
Uplifting the next generation of coastal workers in fishing, mariculture, marine science, and kelp/habitat restoration
Restoring marine habitats, especially the kelp forests recovering from years of devastation by purple sea urchins
Supporting ocean-based innovation, research, and responsible tourism
Together, these efforts help ensure the Monterey Bay remains a place where people and the ocean can thrive, together.
Our Role: Connecting the Blue Economy Ecosystem
Many organizations are already working to protect and strengthen Monterey Bay. What’s often missing is coordination across sectors.
Regenerative California serves as a convener and catalyst, helping align stakeholders, ideas, and resources so promising concepts can move from discussion to implementation.
By building partnerships and creating shared strategies, the Future of Blue helps transform fragmented efforts into coordinated action and investable projects.
What Success Looks Like
The initiative aims to deliver measurable benefits for both the economy and the environment, including:
Quality jobs in fisheries, restoration, research, and coastal industries
Growth in the region’s blue economy and small business development
Workforce training for living-wage ocean careers
Restoration of marine habitats and improved ecosystem resilience
Stronger collaboration across sectors and institutions
Join Us
We’ve secured early seed funding from the Monterey County Economic Development Committee. Now, we’re inviting others to help take this initiative from ideation to action.
Join us. Invest in the future of Monterey Bay and our community that relies on its health and well-being.
Collaborator and Trusted Advisor
Contact Us
For more questions and ways to get involved in Regenerative California’s Future of Blue work, please email fob@regenerativecalifornia.org.