H.R. 3048: Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025, aims to enhance the coastal communities and ocean economy of the United States by establishing Ocean Innovation Clusters. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

1. Establishment of Ocean Innovation Clusters

The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to identify at least seven entities as Ocean Innovation Clusters within one year after enactment. These clusters will be organizations that include a mix of business entities, academic institutions, non-profits, and governmental agencies, all focused on promoting growth and collaboration in the Blue Economy.

2. Definition of Blue Economy

The Blue Economy is defined as the sustainable economic activities related to the nation’s oceans and coastal areas, including industries such as:

• Marine construction
• Transportation
• Offshore energy development
• Fishing and aquaculture
• Tourism

3. Designation and Prioritization

Entities chosen as Ocean Innovation Clusters will be prioritized based on their track record of supporting growth in the Blue Economy and must include participants from various sectors, particularly those representing diverse communities.

4. Geographic Representation

The Secretary of Commerce is required to ensure that these Clusters represent diverse geographical regions, including:

• The five regions managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service
• The Great Lakes
• The Gulf of Mexico

5. Partnership Management

Each Ocean Innovation Cluster will have designated liaisons from various federal agencies to facilitate communication and collaboration, ensuring alignment with federal objectives related to the Blue Economy.

6. Grants for Ocean Innovation Clusters

The bill allows for competitive grants to be awarded to these Clusters to support their operations and development, with each grant potentially reaching up to $10 million over a two-year period. An overall budget of $10 million is proposed for grant allocations from 2026 to 2030.

7. Focus Areas

Each Ocean Innovation Cluster will focus on several key areas including:

• Creating pathways for new opportunities in the Blue Economy
• Managing intellectual property
• Enhancing seafood supply chain sustainability
• Encouraging research and technological development
• Workforce development and training

8. Ocean Innovation Centers

In collaboration with partners, at least one physical Ocean Innovation Center will be established in each region with an Innovation Cluster. These centers will serve as hubs for entrepreneurial collaboration, provide resources for training, and foster relationships among different industry sectors.

9. Metrics for Success

Federal agencies will collaborate to develop metrics to measure the economic impact and effectiveness of the Ocean Innovation Clusters, ensuring their contributions to the Blue Economy can be evaluated and improved over time.

Relevant Companies

• BA - Boeing Company: Could be impacted due to involvement in marine transportation and offshore energy sectors.
• TSLA - Tesla, Inc.: May have interests in renewable energy development related to ocean resources.
• NEE - NextEra Energy, Inc.: Likely to engage in offshore energy production, aligning with sustainable energy initiatives.
• AAPL - Apple Inc.: Could develop eco-friendly initiatives related to ocean sustainability and technology.