(5) The relative potential for the designation of 
the entity as an Ocean Innovation Cluster to reverse 
a decline, or accelerate growth, in ocean sector jobs. 
(6) The ability of the entity to carry out 
projects that support economic and climate resilience 
through economic diversification and long-term re-
covery from natural disasters. 
(7) The extent, rural and underserved nature, 
and economic underutilization of the coastline and 
ocean area that projects carried out by the entity 
could affect. 
(f) PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT.— 
(1) PARTNERSHIP LIAISONS.— 
(A) DESIGNATION.—The Director of Sea 
Grant, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Assistant Sec-
retary of Commerce for Economic Development 
shall each designate 1 partnership manager 
from within their respective agencies to serve as 
a partnership liaison between each Ocean Inno-
vation Cluster and Sea Grant, the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 
the Economic Development Administration, re-
spectively. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:57 Jun 10, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7970.IH
H7970
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(B) FUNCTION.—Each partnership liaison 
designated under subparagraph (A) shall ensure 
that Ocean Innovation Clusters— 
(i) have direct communication with 
the agency of the liaison; and 
(ii) allow for collaboration and align-
ment with Federal objectives in each re-
gion regarding the Blue Economy. 
(2) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.— 
(A) SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND PART-
NERSHIP
LIAISONS.—The Secretary of Com-
merce shall coordinate with the Director of Sea 
Grant, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere, the Assistant Sec-
retary of Commerce for Economic Development, 
the Department of Energy, the Maritime Ad-
ministration of the Department of Transpor-
tation, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of 
the Department of the Interior, the Department 
of Agriculture, the Coast Guard, and such other 
Federal agencies, including bureaus of the De-
partment of Commerce, as the Secretary of 
Commerce considers appropriate to increase 
technical knowledge exchange and opportunities 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:57 Jun 10, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7970.IH
H7970
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
for cross-sector collaboration with those agen-
cies. 
(B) SECRETARY
OF
ENERGY.—With re-
spect to matters relating to the nexus of the 
Blue Economy and the responsibilities and ex-
pertise of the Department of Energy, the Sec-
retary of Energy— 
(i) shall provide advice and rec-
ommendations to the Secretary of Com-
merce in order to increase technical knowl-
edge exchange and opportunities for cross- 
sector collaboration; and 
(ii) may provide such advice and rec-
ommendations without any formal request 
from the Department of Commerce. 
(g) DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC IMPACT METRICS 
OF OCEAN INNOVATION CLUSTERS.—The Administrator 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the 
Department of Commerce, and the heads of other relevant 
Federal agencies shall use and refine the Marine Economy 
Satellite Account to measure the value to and impact of 
Ocean Innovation Clusters on the Blue Economy. 
(h) AREAS OF FOCUS.—The Director of Sea Grant, 
the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and At-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:57 Jun 10, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7970.IH
H7970
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
mosphere, and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Economic Development shall coordinate with each Ocean 
Innovation Cluster in the following areas of focus: 
(1) Increasing pathways for new entrants into 
the Blue Economy for individuals and entities. 
(2) Intellectual property management. 
(3) Enhancing the sustainability of seafood sup-
ply chains, including with respect to food, transpor-
tation, processing, health and beauty products, ani-
mal feed, medical biotechnology, bioplastics, biofuels, 
and other value-added products, to strive for full use 
of harvested natural resources. 
(4) Providing significant and sustainable eco-
nomic opportunity through advanced research, cross- 
sector science, and technology development. 
(5) Contributing new knowledge, processes, 
technology, and support for stakeholders in the Blue 
Economy, especially to advance sustainability in spe-
cific sectors. 
(6) Working with Federal, State, local, and 
Tribal agencies to clearly communicate laws, regula-
tions, and agency practices affecting industry needs, 
planning, or growth opportunities. 
(7) Creating investable opportunities through 
the development of economies of scale to enhance 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:57 Jun 10, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7970.IH
H7970
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
growth opportunities, job creation, sustainability, 
and expansion for small businesses within the Blue 
Economy. 
(8) Workforce development and training, busi-
ness planning, identifying existing and needed tech-
nology and economic infrastructure, and coordinated 
research and development among small businesses, 
government, and industry. 
(9) Research, development, and implementation 
of ocean energy, bioprospecting, and other innovative 
and sustainable ocean resource development endeav-
ors. 
(i) OCEAN INNOVATION CENTERS FOR CROSS-SEC-
TOR COLLABORATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to foster collabora-
tion and innovation and strengthen regional ocean 
sector economies while creating employment oppor-
tunities, the Director of Sea Grant, the Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, 
and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Eco-
nomic Development shall collaborate with cross-sec-
tor partners to jointly develop or designate at least 
1 physical space for collaboration as an Ocean Inno-
vation Center for Cross-Sector Collaboration within 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:57 Jun 10, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7970.IH
H7970
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS