The original Sun-Sentinel op-ed article can be found here.
By Dean Robin Cooper and Ben Sorensen — The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show took place Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, and the world once again turned its eyes to our waterways. But whenever people think of our city, they should think of that ocean-driven economy.
Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) can become the open, collaborative hub of the global ocean economy, leading from sawgrass to seagrass and out to the world’s oceans. With Florida’s new Office of Ocean Economy, housed at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), already positioning the state as a global leader in ocean-linked industries, our region is uniquely poised to extend that momentum locally and internationally.
The ocean economy is not a niche; it is an engine. The United States marine and coastal economy contributed more than $511 billion to national GDP in 2023 and supports millions of livelihoods across coasts, ports and river systems.
Fort Lauderdale is built for this moment. Known as the Venice of America, its 165 miles of canals and world class marine industries form one of the world’s most dynamic water-based economies. Port Everglades alone generates about $28.1 billion in annual business activity and supports more than 200,000 Florida jobs.
Few communities can match Fort Lauderdale’s combination of economic infrastructure and scientific expertise. NSU, recently designated an R1 research institution by the Carnegie Classification, anchors programs in coral restoration, shark science, marine biotechnology and coastal resilience, all within one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on Earth. Together, NSU, FAU and the city’s water-first governance can translate discovery into deployment, from classroom to canal.
Fort Lauderdale appointed its first chief waterways officer in April 2025, aligning safety, infrastructure, conservation, recreation and economic opportunity under one banner. Here’s just a few initiatives undertaken:
Restoration: Volunteers and staff recently planted more than 100 new mangroves at George English Park, Coontie Hatchee Park and other canal edge sites, creating living infrastructure that filters water, provides habitat and protects shorelines.
Science and Transparency: The city expanded water quality testing with Miami Waterkeeper, increasing sampling sites and frequency to track bacteria, turbidity and salinity.
Coordination: A working group of civic, nonprofit, research and resident leaders now meets regularly to align data collection, education and investment.
Infrastructure Renewal: Stormwater upgrades, smart pumps and flood mitigation projects across neighborhoods show that resilience and recreation can coexist.
Safer Boating: Partnering with the state of Florida, the city secured funding for its first pump-out boat, enabling boaters to dispose of wastewater safely and protect water quality.
Much more is on the horizon. Our goals in the coming days include:
- Make water legible with real time data. Within the next year, we will champion an open data resolution and launch a public Waterways Dashboard. Sensors across canals will display tides, salinity, temperature and more, helpful for boaters, families, marinas, scientists and schools.
- Build a workforce ladder people can climb. From kindergarten through graduate study, we can connect local talent to internships and apprenticeships in marine services, logistics, tourism, technology and research. Partnering with Broward County Public Schools, Broward College, CareerSource Broward and local industry, we can build clear ocean economy career pathways.
- Keep the tent open. The ocean economy must be a commons, not a club. We invite NGOs, agencies, universities and partners across the Caribbean and Latin America to collaborate. Fishermen, yacht builders, divers, environmental groups and youth organizations all have a role to play.
We already have the world’s largest in-water boat show, a major port, top tier universities and a city focused on waterways. The next step is connecting data, discovery, education and opportunity. With NSU’s R1 research engine, FAU’s statewide leadership, and Fort Lauderdale’s water-first approach, we can pilot fast, share what works, and scale success, turning Broward into the nation’s sandbox for marine innovation.
Millions watched as thousands arrived for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. They experienced an immersion in the priceless living laboratory we call home. Let us lead the ocean economy from Fort Lauderdale outward, proving that prosperity and preservation can move in the same current.
