UNCW conference brings innovators together to tackle coastal challenges

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Leaders in ocean science, business and technology gathered at the University of North Carolina Wilmington on Tuesday for the fourth annual Ocean Innovation Conference.

The conference brings together people from different fields to share ideas and explore new approaches to challenges facing oceans and coastal communities.

Researchers, entrepreneurs, students and community members took part in the event, with discussions focused on the future of the ocean and coastal areas.

This year’s keynote speaker, ocean conservationist Hanli Prinsloo, shared stories about swimming alongside whales and other marine life and how those experiences inspired her conservation work.

Coastal resilience was also a major focus of the conference, including concerns surrounding sea level rise and coastline erosion.

“There are a lot of companies there focused on coastal resilience. So looking at sea level rise and what happens when our coastlines erode and what do we do to mitigate and stop those from happening,” UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program Manager Lydia Thomas said.

Thomas said the conference also showed the level of interest in protecting the ocean and the resources it provides.

“I think today has just been a wonderful display of how much the community cares about the ocean and the resources the ocean provides for us,” Thomas said.

The conference also gave students an opportunity to learn about potential careers in ocean research, entrepreneurship and the blue economy.