The Ocean Collective: New Blue Economy Infrastructure at SBCC

CLIENT NEED

The Ocean Collective is an initiative between Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara (CFSB), City of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and the Economic Development Collaborative to address the infrastructure and training needs of the Santa Barbara-Ventura region’s Blue Economy. The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. With support from the City of Santa Barbara, Coastal Conservancy, California Jobs First, and USDA, the Ocean Collective intends to create a new model for integrating ecological restoration, economic revitalization, and indigenous sovereignty. Strategic Earth is supporting CFSB staff with the Tribal engagement portion of the project that seeks to understand Tribal priorities related to use of an Ocean Collective site.

STRATEGY

Engagement with Tribes, especially Tribal leadership, will allow CFSB to meaningfully integrate Native Nations’ priorities into Ocean Collective site use, facility access policies, and governance. This includes exploring potential uses such as storage of traditional or culturally significant watercraft and representation on the advisory board. Information conversations through Cups of Tea and Tribal Roundtables will aim to introduce Tribes to the Ocean Collective project, start relationship building with the Ocean Collective team and Tribal members, and help CFSB gain an understanding of Tribe’s desire to be included in the facilities planning, decision-making, and broader Ocean Collective developments. 

KEY RESULTS AND OUTCOMES

Receive input from Tribal leadership and community on their interest in informing the Ocean Collective’s vision, including specific components of the initiative. Strengthen relationships between Tribes and CFSB.