Catherine Jadot, PhD

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐞?

Yesterday, on two separate occasions, I was brought to think about the ocean data gap.

I think it's not just a science problem.

Because ocean data guides fishing quota and shipping routes, it drives flood maps and coastal planning that protect people and jobs.

It's mind-blowing that today, we know more about the surface of Mars than the depths of our seas.

This lack of data also limits our ability to predict climate impacts, manage marine ecosystems, and unlock sustainable economic opportunities.

Bridging this ocean data gap is essential for a sustainable blue economy.

And it means investing in cutting-edge technologies like autonomous ocean sensors, satellite monitoring, and AI-driven data analytics.

It also requires stronger international collaboration and equitable data-sharing frameworks.

In my vision of a better world, I like to imagine a future where every nation can access real-time ocean data to guide policy decisions, build climate resilience, and grow sustainable industries.

One initiative I like that is making strides in this area is the Ocean Data Action Coalition. (🔗 in the comments)

It brings together public and private sector leaders, researchers, and innovators to accelerate ocean data collection, sharing, and application for sustainable ocean management.

I would love to hear the innovations or initiatives you've seen that are making strides in closing the ocean data gap?

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𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑦

#BlueEconomy #OceanData #Sustainability #ClimateResilience #OceanHealth

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬: a case study

The Seaflower Fund in Colombia is worth a close look.

The financial vehicle, designed by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, was developed to pay for urgent reef protection now, while also securing stable funding for decades to come.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬

🔹 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦:

1. One is a 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱, about US$4.7 million (already secured), that will be spent over the next few years on projects like coral restoration, sustainable fishing, and community enterprises linked to the reef.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

2. The other is an 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: a fund that will be invested, with only the returns (interest and investment income) spent each year.

The goal is to grow this to US$5 million, which could generate around US$250,000 annually, forever, to keep conservation work running.


🔹 𝐺𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒:

The fund is managed by Fondo Acción, but decision-making for the MPA remains with CORALINA, the local environmental authority.

(This keeps management in local hands while ensuring the fund’s resources are professionally managed and transparently allocated.)


🔹 𝐸𝑥𝑡𝑟𝑎 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:

Partnering with a national bank to offer tourists a carbon footprint calculator and voluntary contributions, with funds going straight into conservation.


𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

🔹Conservation projects often struggle with short-term funding.

🔹This model creates both an immediate action budget and a long-term financial safety net.

🔹Local fund manager Fondo Acción works with community partners, adding credibility and ensuring funds are well-directed.


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠

🔹How quickly the endowment can be built from zero to US$5 million.

🔹How the fund protects itself against currency changes and market swings.

🔹Whether small local businesses see timely support and funding.

🔹If the projects funded today can grow into self-sustaining enterprises.


𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥:

➡️ Who could be the trusted local fund manager?

➡️ What reliable income source could complement the endowment, like tourism fees or climate insurance payouts?

➡️ What early wins could build trust and attract more investors?


More info in the comments!

If this resonates, share it to help increase visibility for ocean solutions.

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𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑦!