{"id":2450,"date":"2026-10-08T20:23:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T20:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/?p=2450"},"modified":"2026-10-08T20:23:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T20:23:30","slug":"blissful-blue-blur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/?p=2450","title":{"rendered":"Blissful Blue Blur"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6ac8184814ccd&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ac818481a46e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ac818481a46e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"2451\" src=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/maine-blue-economy-week-bigelow-laboratory-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/maine-blue-economy-week-bigelow-laboratory-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/maine-blue-economy-week-bigelow-laboratory-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/maine-blue-economy-week-bigelow-laboratory-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/maine-blue-economy-week-bigelow-laboratory-500x625.jpg 500w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/maine-blue-economy-week-bigelow-laboratory.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ac818481acfd&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ac818481acfd\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"2452\" src=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840005175_1750350900423989_8483037213441488359_n-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840005175_1750350900423989_8483037213441488359_n-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840005175_1750350900423989_8483037213441488359_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840005175_1750350900423989_8483037213441488359_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840005175_1750350900423989_8483037213441488359_n-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840005175_1750350900423989_8483037213441488359_n.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ac818481b5b2&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ac818481b5b2\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"2453\" src=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840765533_1750350903757322_4501843674362069862_n-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840765533_1750350903757322_4501843674362069862_n-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840765533_1750350903757322_4501843674362069862_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840765533_1750350903757322_4501843674362069862_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840765533_1750350903757322_4501843674362069862_n-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MBEW_840765533_1750350903757322_4501843674362069862_n.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last week, the inaugural <strong>Maine Blue Economy Week<\/strong> put Maine\u2019s ocean economy front and center: precisely where this powerful innovation ecosystem deserves to be! \ud83c\udf0a<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For two days, 300+ researchers, business owners, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, students, and policymakers gathered in Portland to explore opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, on the final day, we welcomed the Midcoast field trip to our East Boothbay campus for lunch and a tour. Participants checked out our algae greenhouse and lab facilities, then boarded the R\/V <em>Bowditch<\/em> to visit the <strong>University of Maine\u2019s Darling Marine Center<\/strong>. The day also included a stop at <strong>PhytoSmart<\/strong>, giving participants a look at algae and aquaculture facilities by land and sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bigelow Laboratory<\/strong> enjoyed bringing this first Maine Blue Economy Week together along with <strong>Gulf of Maine Research Institute<\/strong>, <strong>University of Maine<\/strong>, and <strong>Roux Institute at Northeastern University<\/strong>, with major support from <strong>Maine State Department of Economic and Community Development<\/strong> and <strong>Maine Technology Institute<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you to everyone who participated, and a special shout-out to event organizers for amplifying this important conversation in such an engaging way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div style=\"--wp--block-button--width: 50;\" class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width wp-block-button__width-50\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bigelow.org\/news\/articles\/2026-10-08.html\">Check Out Additional Insights<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last week, the inaugural Maine Blue Economy Week put Maine\u2019s ocean economy front and center: precisely where this powerful innovation ecosystem deserves to be! \ud83c\udf0a For two days, 300+ researchers, business owners, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, students, and policymakers gathered in Portland to explore opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration. Then, on the final day, we [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","css_class_manager_body_classes":"","css_class_manager_use_in_post_loop":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[71,17,18,85,87],"class_list":["post-2450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science-oceans-potential","tag-blue-economy","tag-events","tag-maine","tag-manoj-kamalanathan","tag-michael-lomas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2450"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2454,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2450\/revisions\/2454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}