Waypoint Event Center, New Bedford
April 14, 2026
July 14, 2026
October 15, 2026
Join us in historic downtown New Bedford for the New Bedford Ocean Economy Conference Series
A three-part event exploring innovation and technology across key areas of the regional blue economy: Aquaculture, Commercial Fishing, and Offshore Renewable Energy. Hosted by the New Bedford Ocean Cluster, the series will bring together research, industry, and public-sector leaders at the forefront of the ocean economy to learn, network, highlight technology, and share the latest trends and best practices.
Track I: Aquaculture — April 14, 2026
Track II: Offshore Renewable Energy — July 14, 2026
Track III: Commercial Fishing — October 15, 2026
Each track includes networking, a half-day speaking program, and an optional tour (additional fees apply for tours). The April 14 & July 14 tracks include a networking breakfast, and the October 15 track includes a networking reception with light refreshments to celebrate and conclude the conference series. While we encourage you to join us for all three tracks, you may register for a two-track bundle or a single track of your choice.
Networking Breakfast & Speaking Program: 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Optional: Aquaculture Policy Coalition Meeting – 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Optional Tour: West Island Oyster Farm – 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Track II: Offshore Renewable Energy — July 14, 2026
Networking Breakfast & Speaking Program: 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Optional Tour: UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science & Technology and Technology Demonstration at WHOI’s Mobile Dockside Access Point – 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Track III: Commercial Fishing — October 15, 2026
Optional Tour: Port of New Bedford by Ferry and BASE Seafood Auction – 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Speaking Program & Networking Reception: 1:30-6:30 p.m.
Registration Fees:
- Full Conference Series – $150
- Two Track Bundle – $110
- Single Track – $60
- Tours – $35 each
If your company is interested in sponsoring, do not proceed with registration. Contact Jennifer Downing, NBOC Executive Director, for details on sponsorship opportunities.
Volunteer opportunities available, contact Jennifer if interested.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Sponsorships are still available. Please get in touch with Jen if you want more details
Industry Track Sponsor (3 available)
Lanyard Sponsor
Industry Tour Sponsor (3 Available)
Networking Breakfast Sponsor (3 available)
Aquaculture Policy Coalition Lunch Sponsor
Swag Bag Sponsor – SOLD
Banner Sponsor (6 Available per track)
Program
Registration & Networking Breakfast
The State of Aquaculture: Regulatory Frameworks, Industry Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Growth
Speakers:
1. Kevin Madley, Regional Aquaculture Coordinator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, NOAA Fisheries
2. Alex Boeri, Aquaculture Project Leader, MA Department of Marine Fisheries
3. Dale Leavitt, Co-Owner, West Island Oysters/Blue Stream Shellfish
4. Kerian Fennelly, Founder/CEO Newport Mussels
10:25 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Top Technologies Driving Aquaculture Forward
Speaker: Chris Davis, Innovator in Residence, Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center
10:50 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
Networking Break
11:10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
From the Field: Aquaculture Innovation & Technology
Speakers:
1. Keith Wilda, Co-Owner, Blue Stream Aquaculture
2. Micheline Labrie, Director of Coastal Systems Program, Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences, 3. UMass Dartmouth
4. Nick Planson, Founder/CEO, Shred Electric
5. Chip Terry, Founder/CEO, Blue Trace
11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Integrating Aquaculture & Commercial Fishing
Speaker: Caitlin Cleaver, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Colby College
12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Meeting of the Aquaculture Policy Coalition (Working Lunch)
The Marion Institute’s Southcoast Food Policy Council — in partnership with the New Bedford Ocean Cluster, Massachusetts Aquaculture Association, Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership, and the Buzzards Bay Coalition — has officially launched the Aquaculture Policy Coalition. This coalition will convene partners, producers, advocates, and community leaders to:
Identify shared aquaculture policy priorities
- Support sustainable local growers and harvesters
- Align messaging and advocacy efforts
- Educate and engage decision-makers
We’re excited to share that the Aquaculture Policy Coalition will hold its first meeting during the New Bedford Ocean Cluster’s Ocean Economy Conference Series. Please join us to learn more about the coalition’s goals, what the coalition has accomplished over the last few months, and how to get involved as we continue building strong, coordinated aquaculture policy for the region. The meeting is open to all conference attendees, but registration is required.
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tour of West Island Oyster Farm
Come experience all things oyster farming at West Island Oysters! Attendees will see the farm, participate in shucking demonstrations, and learn about oyster farming practices, industry trends, and the challenges and opportunities to scale this important sector. After the tour, attendees will enjoy an oyster tasting. Transportation provided.
Registration & Networking Breakfast
The State of Offshore Renewables: Regulatory Frameworks, Industry Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Growth
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
How AI & Robotics are Revolutionizing Offshore Renewable Energy
Test Beds & Twins: Accelerating Marine Technology Development Through Physical and Virtual Environments
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Break
Lifecycle Leadership: Developing Strategic Approaches for End-of-Life Management of Offshore Wind Infrastructure
12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Break
Tour of UMD School for Marine Science & Technology and Tech Demo at WHOI Mobile Dockside Access Point
Visit the campus of the University of MA Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology, a world-renowned marine science and ocean technology institution acclaimed for research in fisheries management, coastal climate change, and marine technology. After a talk & tour at SMAST, attendees will experience a tech demonstration at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s new Mobile Dockside Access Point in the Port of New Bedford.
Tours of the Port of New Bedford & BASE Seafood Auction
Take a tour by ferry of the Port of New Bedford, a critical maritime hub, generating $11.1 billion in annual economic value and serving as the #1 most valuable commercial fishing port in the US since 2001. After the port tour, attendees will head over the Buyers and Sellers Exchange (BASE) Seafood Auction, the largest, most significant electronic seafood auction on the U.S. East Coast, acting as the primary, transparent marketplace that sets daily, global benchmark prices for scallops and groundfish.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Registration & Networking
The State of Commercial Fishing: Regulatory Frameworks, Industry Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Growth
From Pen and Paper to Sensors and Satellites: How Smart Vessels are Leading the Commercial Fishing Industry
Break
Increasing Competitiveness Through Increased USDA Investment in American Seafood
Closing Remarks
Networking Reception
Speakers
The speakers for the New Bedford Ocean Economy conference will continue to be updated as the conference draws closer.
Chip Terry
Blue Trace
Dale Leavitt
West Island Oysters
Track 1 – Aquaculture
Micheline Labrie
Director of Coastal Systems Program, Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences, UMass Dartmouth
Caitlin Cleaver
Colby College
Nick Planson
Shred Electric
Chris Davis
Innovator in Residence at the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center
Kerian Fennelly
Newport Mussels
Kevin Madley
Aquaculture Coordinator for the Greater Atlantic Region, NOAA Fisheries
Track 1 – Aquaculture
Resources
Conference Venue
The central location for this year’s conference is the Waypoint Event Center located within the Fairfield by Marriot in historic, downtown New Bedford at 185 MacArther Drive.
Parking
Parking is available on site. Spillover parking will be available at the Elm Street Garage (51 Elm Street, New Bedford, MA). The garage is about a ten minute walk from the Waypoint Event Center.