The 2026 State of the Blue Economy Forum, convened by Blue Assembly, brought together a diverse cross-section of Western Australia’s coastal and marine sector to collectively consider the future of WA’s coast, ocean and blue economy out to 2050.
Held at Gage Roads in Fremantle, the forum encouraged attendees to think beyond immediate pressures and explore the long-term systems, partnerships and priorities needed to support resilient coastal and marine environments and sustainable blue economies in WA. The afternoon combined facilitated dialogue, collaborative voting and deliberative discussions designed to support equitable contribution from a broad range of perspectives while identifying areas of consensus and collective focus.
A Shared Vision for WA’s Coasts and Oceans
The forum centred on a 2050 horizon, inviting participants to consider what they would like WA’s coastlines, oceans and marine industries to look like in the decades ahead.
The invitation itself captured the tone of the event:
“Even in the midst of storms of change, division and distraction, and dismal forecasts, there is a place and a community where calm navigation by wise collaborators towards bold and all-embracing visions is possible.”
Ahead of the forum, Blue Assembly members contributed to a survey examining recent significant events affecting communities, industries and regions; revisited the prioritisation of issues raised in previous forums; future challenges and opportunities; organisational goals; and perspectives on Blue Assembly’s long-term vision for ocean stewardship and sustainable blue economies in WA.
The Western Australian Coastal & Marine Network (WACMN) contributed to the survey process, with insights from across the network helping inform both its submission and discussions throughout the afternoon. Responses highlighted both the diversity of perspectives across the sector and a strong shared recognition that collaboration, systems leadership, ocean literacy, data sharing and long-term stewardship remain central priorities moving toward 2050.
Coastal Adaptation and Community Conversations
Blue Assembly Director Andrew Outhwaite invited attendees to think deeply about what they would like WA’s coasts and oceans to look like by 2050. Participants then broke into facilitated discussion groups to share aspirations, concerns and future visions.
One of the strongest themes emerging from discussions was the need for long-term coastal adaptation planning and honest conversations about how communities respond to coastal change.
WACMN Manager Ailbhe Travers shared that coastal and marine stewards around the state feel strongly about ensuring WA still has beaches and functioning coastal spaces for future generations to enjoy. This includes maintaining foreshore reserves capable of accommodating natural coastal processes and, in some locations, having difficult conversations around the managed retreat of infrastructure to preserve adequate coastal buffers into the future.
Discussions highlighted the importance of proactive planning and investment frameworks that allow adaptation pathways to be implemented early, rather than reacting only once erosion and coastal hazards become critical.
Participants also reflected on the need to improve community understanding of coastal hazards and adaptation trade-offs so communities can engage meaningfully in future decision-making. Examples discussed included the implications of locating infrastructure close to the coast, where protecting assets may ultimately require structural coastal protection works that can impact beach amenity, or alternatively, ongoing sand nourishment programs requiring sustained financial investment.
Building Ocean Literacy and Systems Thinking
Following the survey reflections, attendees broke into groups to workshop priority themes emerging from the survey results. WACMN participated in the Ocean Literacy discussion, which explored how decision-makers across politics, investment, infrastructure development and business often have limited understanding of ocean systems and their interconnected impacts.
Participants reflected that marine environments are frequently approached through land-based planning frameworks that fail to capture the dynamic, interconnected and three-dimensional nature of ocean ecosystems.
A strong focus emerged around the need to better translate science into accessible, evidence-based communication that supports informed and resilient decision-making across environmental, social and economic domains. Ocean accounting was discussed as an important tool for quantifying and communicating the broader value of systems-based approaches while strengthening the economic case for sustainable decision-making.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of Traditional Knowledge and storytelling in building stewardship and connection to country and sea. Participants reflected that scientific and technical communication can sometimes overcomplicate highly complex systems, whereas Traditional Knowledge frameworks often foster understanding through narrative, lived experience and relational thinking.
Collaboration for the Future
Across the discussions, a recurring theme was the need to better conceptualise oceans as connected systems and to improve strategic, long-term planning that integrates science, policy, approvals processes, marine protected areas and non-partisan reporting frameworks.
Ultimately, the forum reinforced the importance of creating spaces where communities of practice can come together to respectfully debate, identify synergies and collectively navigate the complexity of coastal and marine stewardship in Western Australia.
A draft report will now be prepared and circulated ahead of its public release for consultation on 8 June as part of WA World Ocean Day celebrations. The report forms part of the broader State of the Blue Economy process led by Blue Assembly, bringing together insights and priorities from across WA’s coastal and marine sector. For an overview of the full process, visit State of the Blue Economy. The evolving report and forum outcomes provide an important opportunity to reflect not only on where the sector is heading by 2050, but how collaboration and collective stewardship can help shape that future.
Story by WACMN, image credit: Blue Assembly