Blue Bioeconomy Forum

After a year and a half of exchanges and drafting, we are very pleased to release the Forum’s Roadmap for a Blue Bioeconomy, identifying 14 challenges. With the support of the BBF community, solutions were identified to tackle them. In addition, a brochure presenting some innovative and viable blue bio projects illustrates the potential of the sector for the years to come. In this final edition of the newsletter, our long read this month presents Iceland’s striving Blue Bioeconomy ecosystem, and an introduction to the new European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius. You will also find the latest blue bio events and news.

While finalising the Roadmap document we received the very sad news that one of our steering group members, John van Leeuwen, died in a tragic accident at his seaweed farm. John was very well known in the Dutch community for his optimism, entrepreneurial spirit, can-do mentality, and grand ideas. He also transferred his positive attitude to the Blue Bioeconomy Forum and we were supported by his presence, constructive remarks, experience and expertise. It is a great loss, for the Blue Bioeconomy Forum, but most of all for his family, friends and colleagues.