S. 1392 — Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025

This section defines the following terms for purposes of the Act: (1) Blue Economy, meaning the value and impact of sustainable industries related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, including living resources, marine construction and transportation, offshore energy and minerals, ship and boat building, tourism and recreation, fishing, seafood processing, kelp and shellfish aquaculture, coastal resilience, and other industries deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Commerce; (2) Director of Sea Grant, meaning the Director of the National Sea Grant College Program; (3) Indian Tribe, as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); (4) Native Hawaiian organization, as defined in the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517); (5) Ocean Innovation Center for Cross-Sector Collaboration, meaning a physical space for collaboration developed and managed in accordance with section 3(i); and (6) Ocean Innovation Cluster, meaning an eligible entity designated by the Secretary of Commerce under section 3.

This section directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director of Sea Grant, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, to designate not fewer than 7 eligible entities as Ocean Innovation Clusters not later than one year after enactment. Eligible entities are nonprofit-led consortia in concentrated geographic regions composed of businesses, academic institutions (including minority-serving and Tribal institutions), nonprofits, federal/state/local governments, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations that deliver services to enhance collaboration, innovation, and equitable Blue Economy growth (i.e., sustainable economic activity from ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources). Designations must include at least one cluster in each of the 5 National Marine Fisheries Service regions, the Great Lakes region, and the Gulf of Mexico region; prioritize entities with a history of Blue Economy support; and consider factors such as economic potential, diversity and inclusion, partnerships, job growth, resilience, and underserved areas. This section requires the Director of Sea Grant, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Assistant Secretary for Economic Development to each designate a partnership liaison for direct communication and alignment with federal Blue Economy objectives. The Secretary of Commerce must coordinate with specified agencies (e.g., Department of Energy, Maritime Administration, EPA) for technical exchange and collaboration, with the Secretary of Energy providing related advice. This section directs the NOAA Administrator, Bureau of Economic Analysis Director, and other agency heads to use and refine the Marine Economy Satellite Account to measure Ocean Innovation Clusters' Blue Economy impacts. It also requires the three officials to coordinate with clusters on increasing Blue Economy entry pathways, intellectual property management, and seafood supply chain sustainability (e.g., food, transportation, processing, health products).

This section authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director of the National Sea Grant College Program, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, to award competitive grants of up to $10 million to ocean innovation clusters (as defined in the Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025) for their operation and administration, with the goal of enabling them to become membership-based, self-sustaining entities that provide regional economic benefits. Grants have an initial two-year term, are renewable for additional periods as determined by the Secretary, and are authorized at $10 million annually for FY2026 through FY2030.