Many developing nations are united by two truths—the immediacy of the climate emergency and the necessity of the oceans. Because of this, ocean-based climate solutions in these regions are integral to effective climate action. But access to the necessary financing, technology, and technical expertise remains deeply unequal. To bridge this gap, AltaSea established the Deep Blue Decade Initiative (DBDI), with the goal of launching blue economy hubs in five ocean communities across four continents by 2030. Progress is already underway in Indonesia, Tanzania, Tonga, and Jordan. 

“The ocean absorbs more than 90% of excess heat and 30% of carbon dioxide emissions, yet remains the least funded of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said AltaSea CEO Terry Tamminen. “The Deep Blue Decade is our answer: a global network of hubs that derisks innovation, attracts catalytic capital, and delivers resilience at the pace this crisis demands. If we lose the ocean, we lose the planet.”

AltaSea announced the Deep Blue Decade at New York Climate Week 2025, in partnership with Pegasus Capital Advisors, the UN Development Program, Voyacy Regen, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and many other international organizations and local government partners. Sustainable aquaculture, marine carbon dioxide removal, and ocean-based renewable energy are shared focuses of DBDI sites. Future-proof workforce development and STEM education are also cornerstones—preparing young people to inherit the fight against climate change.

DBDI’s regional blue economy hubs will fight climate change in locally-relevant ways. Indonesia’s program is advancing sustainable kelp aquaculture, coral reef restoration, and renewable energy. There will also be adjacent youth workforce development programs and blue business incubators. In the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar, the DBDI will primarily focus on economic opportunities in regenerative kelp aquaculture, in partnership with the UN Joint SDG Fund Secretariat. The goal is to train at least 5,000 kelp farmers, with a focus on employment for local women. In the Kingdom of Tonga, DBDI is conducting marine science research and pioneering safe, scalable marine carbon dioxide removal solutions.

In Jordan the DBDI is championing coral restoration in partnership with Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau’s Voyacy Regen. The innovation hub in the port city of Aqaba is already carrying out coral propagation, 3D-printed reef restoration, and aquaculture pilots. AltaSea is collaborating with Voyacy Regen to create workforce development programs in Aqaba and beyond.

“With Aqaba, we’re proving that technology and collaboration can grow the blue economy and regenerate coral reefs at scale,” said Philippe Cousteau.

“This is what’s possible when governments, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits align to take bold action for our oceans,” added Ashlan Cousteau.

At its 35-acre campus in the Port of Los Angeles, AltaSea has established a blue economy innovation hub with state-of-the-art facilities for marine research, regenerative aquaculture, renewable energy, and emerging ocean technologies. The DBDI will bring this model to coastal regions around the world to create a global network of hubs that accelerate ocean solutions and drive economic growth.

“The blue economy is projected to double to $3 trillion by 2030, but this growth must include everyone,” said AltaSea founder Jenny Krusoe. “Through the Deep Blue Decade Initiative, we’re ensuring that young people in places like Aqaba, Zanzibar, and Tonga have the same access to STEM education, training, and entrepreneurship as those in California or Europe.”