With World Water Week on the horizon, now is an opportune time to highlight a trio of oceans-related announcements.

Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute, the international event aims to encourage sustainable bluetech innovation and will take place Aug. 20 to 24.

At home in Canada, meanwhile, several industry groups have their own opportunities to offer in the oceans economy. Here’s a look:

Ocean Allies Seeks Impact Award Nominees

Halifax-based industry group Ocean Allies, which aims to advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as accessibility, in the marine industry, is looking for nominees for its Ocean Impact Award.

To be eligible, businesses must be headquartered in Canada, not be publicly funded, and most importantly, have “promoted a set of practices and behaviours within the workplace, team or among individuals that enables employees to understand, communicate, and effectively interact with people across differences, real or perceived.”

The deadline to apply or nominate someone is Aug. 31, the winner will be announced in November, and the award will be presented at the Halifax-based Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship in December.

You can learn more and submit a nomination here.

Quebec Ports Seek Water Quality Monitoring

A trio of port authorities in Quebec — Montréal, Québec City and Trois-Rivières — have issued an innovation challenge for water quality-monitoring technology.

Administered by the Ocean Startup Project, bluetech hub Novarium and startup accelerator Cycle Momentum, the 2023 Global Innovation Challenge is seeking data collection technology, event-reporting systems or dashboards, tools for automating report-writing and predictive analytics systems.

Seed-stage, Series A and Series B companies are invited to apply, provided they have been in business for at least two years and have at least three employees. Possible outcomes for the winner include pilot projects, sales deals and strategic partnerships. Applicants will be judged on their technology, scaleability, team and the status of their product development work.

You can learn more and apply here.

Ignite Atlantic, Ocean Startup Project Partner on Innovation Showcases

Rural innovation hub Ignite Atlantic and the Ocean Startup Project are partnering to host seafood innovation showcases in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

The New Glasgow event will be held Sept. 12 and the Yarmouth event Sept. 19.

In New Glasgow, the topics covered will include fishing fleet electrification, bait innovation and marine monitoring and mapping, among other subjects. And in Yarmouth, topics will include product development and commercialization, automation, sustainable packaging and waste-utilizing products.

Both gatherings will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. You can register to attend in New Glasgow here and Yarmouth here.