We are happy to share that a week ago the Iceland Ocean Cluster hosted the highly anticipated Smart Oceans Lunch event and we are excited to report that it was a huge success! The event gathered experts, enthusiasts and innovators who are passionate about blue economy, ocean sustainability and marine conservation. Organised in collaboration with Transition Labs and Hafbjörg, the event provided a platform for engaging discussions on the latest advancements in the field.
A lively atmosphere and discussions
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was both welcoming and relaxed, with light refreshments setting the stage for a lunch of insightful exchanges. Alexandra Leeper, CEO of the Iceland Ocean Cluster, had the honour of moderating the panel discussion and guiding the participants through the event. The enthusiasm in the room was evident and the audience eagerly participated in the discussions, asking thought-provoking questions and sparking lively debates. The diverse audience consisted of researchers from the University of Iceland, the University Centre of the Westfjords, the Marine and Freshwater Institute and entrepreneurs from Optitog.
Highlighting our outstanding speakers
We had the pleasure of welcoming two distinguished guest speakers who captivated the audience with their expertise and vision for the future of ocean technology and sustainability.
Justin Manley, Senior Advisor to Oceankind and President of the Marine Technology Society, delivered an enlightening presentation on “Technology Requirements for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal.” His insights into advancing technology for ocean conservation were both informative and inspiring.
Julie Angus, CEO and co-founder of Open Ocean Robotics, took the stage to discuss “Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) for Marine Protected Areas Monitoring. Her presentation was a highlight of the event, showcasing the potential of USV’s in enhancing ocean conservation efforts. Like Justin, Julie engaged with attendees during the networking sessions, providing a fantastic opportunity for collaboration among oceantech entrepreneurs and project partners.
The rich knowledge exchange at the event was complemented by some wonderful insights from Margrét Ormslev Ásgeirsdóttir, Head of Operations at Transition Labs, that resonated with the audience. Her passion for problem solving and accelerating green projects and climate tech companies was highlighted in her remarks.
We were also delighted to have Salome Hallfreðsdóttir, CEO of Röst Marine Research Center, as part of the discussions. Salome’s insights added depth to the conversation, emphasising the critical role of research and development in advancing ocean technologies and sustainable practices
The discussions, ideas, and collaborations that emerged from this gathering underscore the endless possibilities for sustainable growth in the blue economy. Thank you to everyone who attended the Smart Oceans Lunch, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in marine conservation and ocean sustainability.
