Port of San Diego Blue Economy Incubator
Port of San Diego Blue Economy Incubator
In 2016, the Port of San Diego established the Aquaculture and Blue Technology Program, which serves as a launch pad for blue technology and sustainable aquaculture ventures. The program supports entrepreneurship and innovation by helping small businesses overcome barriers, such as providing physical space, key assets, funding, permitting and entitlement assistance, identifying key partnerships and strategic collaborations to scale pilot projects, and more. Check out all three editions of their Blue Economy Incubator Highlights publication and explore the incredible portfolio of nature based solutions and new businesses that are delivering multiple social, environmental and economic benefits.
The Program Manager, Paula Sylvia is a wealth of knowledge and experience. Ms. Sylvia was a keynote speaker at Fort Bragg’s Blue Economy Symposium and Leaning Festival in May 2022 and provides invaluable support and expertise as we work to further local efforts. Thank you, Paula!
Hog Island Oyster Co.
Hog Island Oyster Co.
Hog Island Oyster Co. has been growing shellfish for 40 years. Like most shellfish farms, Hog Island mainly sells the large Pacific oyster, although also produces small quantities of other species, such as Kumamotos, Virginica, European Flats, and most recently, Olympia. The Olympia oyster, or “Oly” is the only oyster native to the west coast of North America, and persists in very low numbers in certain estuaries and bays they were once abundant. In an effort to reverse their decline in Tomales Bay, Hog Island is utilizing aquaculture-assisted restoration to raise Olys for both market and restorative value. Hog Island is also working to help researchers better understand the relationship between oyster aquaculture activity and eel grass habitat.
ecoSPEARS
ecoSPEARS
ecoSPEARS is working to eliminate forever chemicals from our soil, sediment and water. Its cleantech solution extract and eliminate PFAS, PCBs, dioxins, 1,4-dioxana, and persistent toxins from the environment. Founded in 2017, we first learned about this company through the Port of San Diego’s Blue Economy Incubator and are excited to introduce them to you! ecoSPEARS is a NASA-developed, non-destructive, low maintenance alternative to dredging that absorbs contaminated sediment “like a sponge” without destroying the natural aquatic habitat.
ECOncrete
ECOncrete
ECOncrete is bringing concrete to life with their innovative approach to marine construction. We first learned about ECOncrete in 2020 when they joined the Port of San Diego’s Blue Economy Innovation to demonstrate a new design of its tide pool shoreline armoring technology. It’s amazing technology that replaces traditional riprap with interlocking units that are designed to mimic tide pool and cave habitats. Scroll through their website to learn about hoe ECOncrete is rebuilding marinas and ports worldwide.
Oneka Technologies
Oneka Project Status
- the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the City of Fort Bragg Desalination Buoy Pilot Project was approved by the City’s Planning Commission on Wednesday, May 28 2025.
- the State Lands Commission (SLC) has approved the lease application on August 21st, 2025.
- the California Coastal Commission (CCC) has approved the Coastal Development Permit for the Fort Bragg-Oneka Wave Powered Desalination Buoy pilot study on December 11th 2025.
- On April 30, 2026, Oneka announced that it had obtained all necessary permits from all regulatory agencies to move forward with the pilot project.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
THE MEANING OF THIS PROJECT FOR THE COMMUNITY OF FORT BRAGG
BLUE ECONOMY IN FORT BRAGG
Sunken Seaweed
Sunken Seaweed
Sunken Seaweed was founded in 2107 with the mission to improve California’s kelp forest ecosystems. Armed with knowledge and research experience from CalPoly Humboldt, inspiration from Greenwave and pilot project support from the Port of San Diego’s Aquaculture and Tech Program, Sunken Seaweed has expanded and is busy farming seaweed in the waters of Humboldt Bay.