What is the Blue Economy?
The Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. The Town of Barnstable actively supports emerging Blue Economy businesses and the growth of existing.
Businesses that are representative of the Blue Economy that are currently located in Barnstable include:
- Maritime Transportation
- Fisheries & Aquaculture
- Tourism & Recreation
- Shipbuilding
- Marine Science & Biotechnology
- Marine Robotics
- Renewable Energy
Town investments that support the blue economy include:
- Wastewater management
- Applied coastal resilience
- Climate change adaptation planning
Cape Cod Blue Economy News and Events
Brazilian Resource Center Hosts the First Intro Crew Training Course
MassDevelopment’s TDI Hyannis facilitated the first Fishermen Skills Training Program hosted by the Brazilian Resources Center, formerly the Health Ministry Inc. This collaboration between the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance (CCCFA) and TDI MassDevelopment is an important step to building a more resilient year-round economy and signals a brightening the local Blue Economy. Experienced fishermen, certified marine safety trainers from Fathom Resources, and local fisheries experts teamed up to conduct an introductory-level course led by Fishermen’s Alliance staff.
The curriculum includes an overview of local fisheries, crew responsibilities and expectations, certification in at-sea safety/survival, basic knot tying, different gear types, Coast Guard rules and regulations, and more. The group had 14 students in attendance. The intention was to prepare them for sea/vessel emergencies and job opportunities. Cape and Islands District Attorney Rob Galibois, and Barnstable Fire Department’s CAPT/ EMT-P, Lieutenant Michael Dalmau, were also at the site. The students learned skills of survival including donning survival suits in open water. All received their certificates and eight individuals are now employed by locally owned businesses, including work in the fishing industry onshore.
Job Training & Employment Opportunities – Take A Survey
The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, working with Mass Development and local social service agencies and community leaders, received more than 300 responses to the multi-lingual survey distributed looking for ways to offer job training and employment opportunities in the fishing industry to more members of Cape Cod’s diverse community.
People were asked to fill out the survey to help the group understand if there was interest, and if so how best to move forward. The short survey took less than five minutes to complete and more than 300 responded, leading to the first Fishermen’s Skills Training class which was held in July and certified 14 individuals. Eight of them are now employed in the local fishing industry.
Download the survey here:
English | Haitian Creole | Portuguese | Spanish
WaterWORKS Career Fair 2024
January 16th @ Cape Cod Community College
With past events featuring pre-eminent shark scientists, wooden boat builders,
deep sea researchers, offshore wind companies and oyster farmers, WaterWORKS continued to be inspirational and eye-opening for students interested in the wealth of career opportunities in the Cape’s Blue Economy.
WaterWORKS invites high school students from Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket and Southern Plymouth County to a half-day program at the Cape Cod Community College West Barnstable Campus; this year on January 16, 2024. The career showcase highlighted the broad array of jobs available to them through demonstrations, exhibits, interactive displays, and hands-on activities. The connections with various non-profits, research institutions, government agencies and businesses help bring awareness to the region’s high school students of how our environment and economy are inextricably linked.
The Big Blue Conference
May 2nd and May 3rd, 2023 @ Mass Maritime Academy
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce’s Blue Economy Foundation hosted a two-day economic development conference focused on the regional blue economy and workforce development at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s new conference center.
Expedition Blue Project
Recognizing that the Cape Cod region’s environment is its economy, Expedition Blue balances our economic and environmental health, creates a new regional identity focused on pride in our water and coastal resources, and supports a sustainable year-around economy for its residents.
Cape Cod by the Numbers
Maritime Businesses
Maritime Employees
Annual Revenues
(source: Cape Cod Blue Economy Project Report 2017)
