Why Ocean Tech in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia’s license plate currently reads, ‘Canada’s Ocean Playground.’ With over 7,000 km of coastline, 10 research-driven universities, four world-class research institutions, and one of the highest concentrations of oceans-related PhDs in the world, perhaps it should read ‘Canada’s Ocean Knowledge Cluster.’

Home to more than 300 companies in ocean-related businesses, including 60 innovators of new high-tech products and services, the ocean tech industry in Nova Scotia is globally recognized and competitive. Here’s why.

We have the facilities.

• The Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE) is a hub for ocean collaboration, innovation and commercialization. COVE offers 3,000ft of deep water wharves right on the Halifax Harbour, allowing for real time testing.
• The Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) is Canada’s largest centre for oceans studies and science and houses more than 600 scientists, engineers and technicians.
• The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) is a $280 million initiative focusing on the Northwest Atlantic Ocean carbon sink and the effects it plays in the global climate change epidemic.
• The Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response (MEOPAR) supports interdisciplinary research and development at Canadian universities, providing training and work experience to mobilize scientific knowledge, technology and people.
• The Institute for Ocean Research Enterprise (IORE), located at Dalhousie University, is building partnerships among researchers, universities and the private sector.
• The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) in Ocean Science and Technology is based at Dalhousie University and works closely with IORE and MEOPAR.

We have the people.
Nova Scotia has one of the highest concentrations of oceans-related PhDs in the world. Dalhousie University has Canada’s first and only multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree program—ocean sciences—as well as a marine biology major at the bachelor’s level. It also offers master's and doctoral programs in oceanography, marine biology, marine management, and marine law.

We have the products.  
Nova Scotia ocean tech companies are doing business with the world. With innovative ocean-tech products and services in demand in more than 90 countries, businesses are demonstrating the global recognition of expertise in this sector.

We have a remarkably bright future in a great location.
The ocean economy is a key source of food, energy, minerals, health, leisure, and transport upon which hundreds of millions of people depend. OECD values the ocean economy's global contribution in 2010 very conservatively at USD $1.5 trillion, and projects growth to $3 trillion by 2030. The Nova Scotian oceans industry is export-driven, and its top export markets are the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Norway.

Halifax, Nova Scotia ranks No.1 for lowest cost and highest quality of living over 11 major cities around the world, according to fDi Magazine.

KPMG ranks Halifax’s ocean tech sector’s overall operating costs as the lowest in Canada. As well, Nova Scotia businesses that incur qualified scientific research and experimental development expenses in Nova Scotia have up to 50% of R&D expenditures eligible for a tax credit.

Learn more about Nova Scotia’s ocean tech industry.