RESEARCH
Blue National Occupational Standards
The Blue National Occupational Standards (BNOS) provide a national reference for the skills and competencies needed across Canada’s sustainable blue economy. They help employers hire with confidence, support educators in designing relevant training, and give individuals a clear understanding of expectations within key ocean roles.
Each BNOS profile outlines the essential skills, knowledge and responsibilities associated with a specific occupation. Competencies are written using an internationally recognized framework, ensuring they are measurable, consistent and practical to apply across regions, sectors and training programs. Profiles are reviewed by professionals working in the field to confirm they reflect real practices, evolving technologies and the needs of an innovation-ready workforce.
Within the Sustainable Blue Economy Professional (SBEP) program, BNOS roles with shared skill areas are grouped into broader specialization streams. These combined competencies form the foundation of the SBEP self-assessment, helping individuals understand how their experience aligns with Canada-based standards designed to strengthen skills and workforce systems and innovation deployment within a global labour market.
Offshore Minerals and Resources
Economic activities related to the exploration and extraction of minerals and abiotic resources from offshore sources, including the operation and maintenance of equipment and services. Offshore minerals and resources includes all traditional oil and gas exploration in addition to seabed and ocean floor mining.
Ocean Technology
Economic activities related to the production of high-tech marine products including but not limited to sensor technology, remote sensing, subsea vehicles/robotics, autonomous systems, harsh ocean environment technology, marine simulation, or marine engineering to support the development of other subsectors; or the usage of marine resources to produce knowledge, goods, and services to support other industries.
Marine Transport, Ports and Shipping
Economic activities related to the transportation of freight and facilities and services incidental to shipping and handling of cargo.
Marine Renewables
Economic activities related to the production and generation of renewable energy using non-exhaustive natural forces, including but not limited to wind, wave, tidal, or osmatic energy.
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Economic activities related to the farming, harvesting, or catching of biotic marine life, including all activities related to processing, production, and preparation of seafood for consumption or feed. This definition includes all primary and secondary activities related to fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing, and trade of biotic marine resources.`
Coastal and Marine Tourism
Economic activities of all indirect and direct facilities related to ocean tourism and leisure, including but not limited to cruises, marine sports, recreational fishing, aquariums, excursions to marine habitats, or services and accommodation located in a place near or adjoining the coast.