Blue Latitudes LLC

We are thrilled to announce that Blue Latitudes LLC has been awarded its first National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for our proposal titled "Advancing innovative convergence between fisheries and offshore energy to drive adaptive stewardship of fisheries habitat in a dynamic blue economy", as part of NSF's Networked Blue Economy (Track E) solicitation. Blue Latitudes will serve as Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs), alongside fellow Co-PIs from LSU, LGL Limited Ecologica...l Research Associates and Global Fishing Watch to accomplish the goals set forth by this two-year, $5 million dollar project. Ultimately, our project objective will be to accelerate convergence across two distinct ocean-related sectors, fisheries and offshore energy, thereby improving fisheries through habitat enhancement, furthering the understanding of artificial reef ecology and its role in fisheries support, and setting a precedent to invest in environmentally and socially responsible decision making for future offshore development on a national scale. Further, what makes our project unique is that we aim to broaden participation and access in the #STEM fields by establishing a workforce training program that will teach marketable STEM skills to formerly incarcerated citizens. Formerly incarcerated citizens face enormous challenges when attempting to reintegrate into society and these obstacles all too often lead to recidivism and a cycle of repeat incarceration. To help change this pattern, our project will employ these citizens to assist in processing underwater videos of marine life on oil platforms, exposing them to computer related skills that will translate into practical job-related capabilities. We are proud that our project will not only improve interactions between disconnected ocean-related sectors in the Blue Economy, but will also provide opportunities to engage and educate an overlooked and important demographic in the Gulf of Mexico region. We are honored to have been selected for this opportunity and believe that our team's dynamic qualifications, project goals and unique approach will enable us to advance the future of oil and gas decommissioning across a global scale while producing solutions that improve human engagement with oceans as both an environment and a resource. #convergenceaccelerator #blueeconomy #fisheresmanagement #RtR #GulfofMexico #NSF

New podcast is LIVE! Check out the link below to learn about our work on #RigstoReefs! #podcast #work #innovation #offshoreenergy

Thrilled to have our work in the #deepsea featured in the July publication of Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative! Check out the link below to learn more about our findings from the deep! #womeninSTEM #conservation #nature #ocean #exploration #marinebiology #deepwater #environment #biodiversity

Join us at the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2021! Co-Founder Amber Sparks will be speaking on the #ACEF2021 panel discussion TONIGHT @7PM to discuss the challenges in the energy sector in the Asia and the Pacific region, and the pathways to speed-up the low-carbon transition, clean energy transition in the region. #ADBACEF202 #NetZero #cleanenergytransition If you haven’t registered, please do so: https://bit.ly/3zeggDl For more information: https://bit.ly/3x8zgRU

Joanna Smart it was our pleasure to host you! Joanna was The OWUSS Australasian Rolex Scholar for 2019/2020 and spent her time traveling the world to explore industries and solutions to help protect and preserve our oceans. Your future is so bright Joanna, we were honored to have you join our team during your experience. Check out her awesome end of year compilation video detailing her experience as a Rolex Scholar: https://www.youtube.com/watch