The Blue Economy

Professor Chris Frid is a professor of marine biology at Griffith University and a research program leader in the Blue Economy Coooperative Research Centre. Chris is a marine ecologist with expertise in human impacts on marine ecosystems. Chris previously worked at the University of Liverpool and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, where he was Director of the Dove Marine Laboratory.

Paul Seaton is the Director for Climate and Nature in Asia Pacific for Fugro, where he spearheads the commercializing digital and remote sensing innovations and harnessing geo-data expertise to create a safe and liveable world.  He is one of the leaders in shaping Fugro’s contribution to the energy transition and is actively engaged in promoting carbon reducing innovations and sustainability. Paul has led Fugro’s strategy to capture climate change related work in the Pacific and secured landmark projects for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Asia Development Bank (ADB) and a range of government and non-government organisations. 

Assoc Professor Pedro Fidelman is an Australia-based scholar with an interest in public policy and governance in the context of global environmental change. He has held academic positions in Brazil and Australia. Currently, he is an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Futures at the University of Queensland. He has  contributed expertise to several national and international initiatives in his field.

Australia has the third largest (marine) Exclusive Economic Zone in the World and an aspiration to grow the Blue Economy to $100 Billion by 2025.  We also have set a target for 30% of the EEZ to be in marine parks by 2030 and t0 have reduced our carbon footprint to net zero by 2050. Understanding the spatial characteristics of our seas and oceans and the extent of human 'foot prints' will need to be brought together using management tools based on maps, charts and plans if these aspirations are to be met.

Each speaker will have 8 minutes to spotlight their work.

During the Q&A forum the audience will have up to 60 minutes to ask questions of the experts on their projects.

Light refreshments are served before you settle in for an informed conversation on a topic of interest to us all.

Please post your questions on notice to:

Email questionsonnotice@gmail.com

Date: Tuesday 27 August 2024

Time:  5:30 pm light refreshments – doors open @ 5:15pm 

             6:00 – 6:30 pm Presentations

             6:30 – 7:30 Q&A Forum

             7:30 – 8:00 Mingling 

Place: Gregory Place, Leve 1, 28Fortescue St. Spring Hill 

Cost: $5.00 for refreshments, included in registration. 

Cost: $5.00 Members 

$10.00 Non-Members 

$5.00 Students 

Photo supplied by Professor Chris Frid