Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre

Name

Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre

Legal name

Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd

Website

https://blueeconomycrc.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511), Shellfish Farming (112512)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Offshore & Open-Ocean Aquaculture (AFAEAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquaculture Farm Services & Operations Support (net cleaning, diving, grading, harvesting) (AFAEAAAM), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Marine Shellfish Farming (e.g., oysters, mussels, clams) (AFAEAAAB)

Keywords

• Offshore aquaculture research
• Marine renewable energy
• Blue economy research
• Wave energy technology
• Hydrogen production research

Headquarters

HQ city

Launceston

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Australian Government CRC Program Grant: The Blue Economy CRC is established and supported under the Australian Government's CRC Program (grant number CRCXX000001, previously 20180101). This provides core funding for collaborative research between industry, researchers, and the community.
2. Partner Contributions and Collaborations: Industry, government, and research partners contribute resources, expertise, and funding to collaborative research projects. Partners include Tassal, Huon Aquaculture, Petuna, CSIRO, various universities, and government agencies.
3. Project-Specific Funding: Additional funding from partner organizations for specific projects such as Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) project 2023-080 for alternative energy solutions for aquaculture, and Aus4ASEAN Futures for ASEAN Blue Economy Implementation Plan.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Blue Economy CRC delivers collaborative, industry-led research, training, and large-scale pilot trials that support the growth of offshore renewable energy and sustainable seafood production. Core offerings include the Blue Economy Zone offshore aquaculture research trial in Commonwealth waters, the Hydrogen Production and Research Facility with a 700 kW electrolyser, wave-energy devices (M4, MoorPower), the SeaFisher offshore fish pen design, marine spatial planning tools, and PhD/postdoctoral training programs — all delivered through five Impact Pillars to 41 active partners.

Product overview

Blue Economy CRC operates as a research organization rather than a commercial product company. Its portfolio consists of research initiatives and infrastructure projects focused on sustainable offshore aquaculture and marine renewable energy. The core offerings include the Blue Economy Zone (BEZ) - Australia's first offshore aquaculture research trial in Commonwealth waters testing Atlantic salmon and yellowtail kingfish; the Hydrogen Production & Research Facility featuring a 700 kW electrolyser with DC microgrid for decarbonisation; wave energy technologies including the M4 Wave Energy Converter and MoorPower wave-powered barge system; novel offshore fish pen designs; and marine spatial planning tools. These initiatives are organized around five Impact Pillars: Open Ocean Aquaculture, Decarbonisation, Offshore Energy, Ocean Use Integration, and Ocean Governance. The organization also delivers the Futures of Seafood national analysis platform and the ASEAN Blue Economy Implementation Plan for regional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blue Economy Zone: Open ocean site for research-focused aquaculture and renewable energy activities, specifically the Bass Strait Aquaculture Research Trial in Commonwealth waters
• Hydrogen Production and Research Facility
• MoorPower
• M4 Wave Energy Converter

Quantifiable outcome

• Established Australia's first offshore aquaculture trial in Commonwealth waters - 12km off Burnie, Tasmania
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

40 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Tasmania (UTAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Key academic partner providing research infrastructure, PhD and postdoctoral programs, Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) collaboration, and hosting headquarters at Australian Maritime College. Principal investigator involvement across all research pillars.
• CSIROcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Australia's national science agency partner contributing to ethical frameworks, cultural licence research, social licence studies, and integration of traditional knowledge into ocean governance.
• Tassal Group LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Major salmon aquaculture company providing industry expertise, fish health team support, operational knowledge, and commercial perspective for offshore aquaculture research. Key partner in Blue Economy Zone trial.
• Griffith UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic partner with strong involvement in RP4 (Environment & Ecosystems), RP5 (Sustainable Offshore Developments), ethics and social licence research, and marine spatial planning through Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law.
• University of QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic partner contributing to offshore engineering research, wave energy projects, and mechanical/chemical engineering expertise for marine structures and renewable energy systems.
• New Zealand King SalmoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019New Zealand's premium salmon producer partnering on RAS research, smoltification optimization, pin bone development studies, and shared learning for Trans-Tasman offshore aquaculture governance.
• Carnegie Clean EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Wave energy technology developer providing MoorPower wave-powered barge system for offshore aquaculture decarbonisation. Commercial pilot project underway testing at Fremantle.
• Huon AquaculturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Tasmanian salmon producer contributing to feed delivery systems research, offshore infrastructure testing, and practical operational experience for high-energy aquaculture environments.
• University of Western AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic partner with Oceans Institute providing M4 Wave Energy Converter deployment expertise, offshore engineering research, and wave energy demonstration capability in Albany, Western Australia.
• Macquarie UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic partner contributing to sustainable energy research, offshore sustainable power systems, hydrogen microgrid modeling, and engineering expertise for blue economy decarbonisation.
• Seafood Industry AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019National peak body for seafood sector providing industry coordination, policy advocacy, and partnership on Futures of Seafood study and alternative energy solutions for aquaculture projects.
• SeasolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Australian biostimulant company supporting kelp aquaculture research and seaweed cultivation projects, contributing to understanding of seaweed industry development opportunities.
• Auckland University of Technology (AUT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019New Zealand university partner contributing PhD students and research expertise to kelp aquaculture, biofouling challenges, and marine ecosystem studies.
• Plant and Food Research NZminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019New Zealand Crown Research Institute contributing marine science expertise, kelp research, and senior scientist involvement in blue economy ecosystem studies.
• SintefminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Norwegian independent research organization providing international expertise in ocean industries, biofouling challenges, and offshore marine engineering best practices.
• Saitec Offshore TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Spanish offshore wind technology company with DemoSATH floating offshore wind technology being evaluated for Australian deployment through TASDEMO project.
• BMTminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Engineering and technology consultancy providing marine science expertise, vessel design, hydrogen powering assessments, and principal marine scientist involvement.
• DEME GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019International dredging, environmental and marine engineering company contributing to offshore infrastructure development, marine construction expertise, and environmental assessments.
• DNVminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Global assurance and risk management company providing expertise in offshore energy certification, standards development, and risk assessment for blue economy technologies.
• Ghent UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Belgian university contributing to Blue Gent collaboration, European best practices in marine research, and international academic network extension.
• University College Cork IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Irish university contributing to blue economy research network, European marine science perspectives, and international collaboration for ocean governance.
• National University of SingaporeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Singapore university contributing Southeast Asian perspective, marine engineering expertise, and Asia-Pacific network expansion for blue economy research.
• PetunaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Tasmanian salmon and ocean trout producer contributing to industry operational knowledge, offshore aquaculture trials, and commercial viability assessment.
• Oysters TasmaniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Industry body representing Tasmanian oyster producers supporting deep-water oyster farming research, industry coordination, and pathway development for shellfish aquaculture.
• SkrettingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Global aquaculture feed company contributing to feed delivery systems research, nutrition expertise, and sustainable feed solutions for offshore aquaculture.
• Cawthron InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019New Zealand's largest independent scientific research organisation contributing to marine ecosystem research, environmental monitoring, and aquaculture sustainability studies.
• University of AucklandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019New Zealand university contributing PhD researchers, marine science expertise, and academic network expansion across blue economy research areas.
• Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Tasmania)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019State government department providing regulatory oversight, senior environmental officer involvement, MOU coordination for Blue Economy Zone trial, and policy framework development.
• East China Sea Fisheries Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Chinese research institute contributing international fisheries science perspective, Asia-Pacific collaboration, and Chinese blue economy development insights.
• Ocean PixelminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Technology company providing innovative monitoring and imaging solutions for marine applications, contributing to automated monitoring systems research.
• Advanced Composite Structures AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Engineering company contributing composite materials expertise for offshore structures, fish pen design, and durable marine infrastructure development.
• Pacific Engineering Systems InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Engineering consultancy providing systems integration expertise, industrial automation, and engineering solutions for marine applications.
• Pitt and SherryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Engineering consultancy contributing infrastructure assessment, project management expertise, and technical advisory services for blue economy projects.
• Hensoldt AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Defence and security technology company providing sensor systems, monitoring technology, and surveillance expertise applicable to marine monitoring.
• Climate FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Non-profit organisation contributing to climate-resilient aquaculture solutions, marine ecosystem restoration, and sustainable ocean development practices.
• Southern Ocean CarbonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Company focused on Southern Ocean carbon research and blue carbon initiatives contributing to ocean carbon markets and climate mitigation studies.
• Australian Ocean Energy GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Industry group representing ocean energy sector in Australia providing industry coordination, policy advocacy, and renewable energy expertise.
• Aquaculture Centre of ExcellenceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Research centre focused on aquaculture excellence contributing to research capability, industry training, and technology development for aquaculture sector.
• Blue ClustercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Strategic partner representing Australian blue economy industry cluster, providing industry coordination and network expansion for blue economy sectors.
• MoananuicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Strategic partner focused on ocean innovation and sustainable marine development, contributing to industry transformation and stakeholder engagement.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Carnegie Clean Energy: Australian wave energy technology developer behind the MoorPower wave-powered barge system deployed through BEZ CRC. Comparable as a partner-technology provider in marine renewable energy for offshore aquaculture decarbonisation, but operating as a commercial technology vendor rather than a research organization.
• Ocean Power Technologies: US-listed wave energy conversion company developing PowerBuoy systems for offshore applications including aquaculture monitoring and ocean energy. Comparable as a wave-energy technology provider intersecting with the blue economy, but operating commercially rather than as a research collaboration body.

Direct peers

• Cawthron Institute: New Zealand's largest independent marine science organization working on aquaculture, marine biosecurity, and seafood safety. BEZ CRC lists Cawthron as a core partner, and the two organizations share research scope across shellfish, finfish, and marine ecosystem monitoring.
• Nofima: Norwegian food and aquaculture research institute with a comparable mission of applied research for sustainable aquaculture, ocean industries, and seafood production. Highly comparable as a non-profit applied research body working closely with industry to advance aquaculture technology and practices.
• SINTEF Ocean: Norway's leading marine and maritime research organization with extensive programs in offshore aquaculture, ocean engineering, and biofouling. BEZ CRC lists SINTEF as a partner, reflecting direct overlap in marine engineering and aquaculture research methodology.
• Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC): Scottish innovation centre for sustainable aquaculture development, funding collaborative research between industry and academia. Closely comparable as a CRC-like research collaboration body focused on industry-led aquaculture innovation in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO: Australia's national science agency with broad aquaculture, marine, and energy research programs. CSIRO is a BEZ CRC core partner, indicating both organizations operate in the same space but CSIRO has far broader scope (climate, agriculture, health, manufacturing) rather than blue-economy specialization.

Emerging players

• Cermaq: Global salmon producer with active investments in offshore and exposed aquaculture technology development. Comparable as a salmon industry player engaged in offshore technology and operational research, though structured as a commercial operator rather than a research centre.
• SalMar: Norwegian salmon farming company pioneering offshore aquaculture through Ocean Farm 1 and SalMar Aker Ocean joint venture. Comparable in that SalMar is also pushing high-energy offshore finfish production, but SalMar is a commercial operator rather than a research body.

Regional players

• Marine Research Institute (MaREI): Ireland's marine renewable energy and aquaculture research centre, delivering applied research across marine energy, aquaculture, and ocean governance. Comparable in mission and structure (university-hosted research centre focused on blue economy) but operating primarily in European/Irish waters rather than Australian Commonwealth waters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blue-economy-crc
• Xx.com/blueeconomycrc
• Facebookfacebook.com/blueeconomycrc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre