SBEP at a Glance
Validate your expertise with a professional designation that recognizes leadership, ethical practice, and excellence across the global blue economy.
Apply now & get certified as a Sustainable Blue Economy Professional
Professional Certification Pathways for SBEP
The SBEP certification pathways are designed to recognize professionals at different stages of their blue economy careers. Each pathway reflects a distinct level of experience and specialization, ensuring clear progression and meaningful recognition across the sector.
Sustainable Blue Economy Professional in Training
- Less than 5 years of experience in the blue economy
- Designed for recent graduates, early-career professionals, and new entrants
- A starting point to build recognized credentials
Sustainable Blue Economy Professional
- 5+ years of general blue economy experience
- Experience across multiple roles or ocean sectors
- Ideal for mid- to late-career professionals with diverse backgrounds
Sustainable Blue Economy Professional Specialized
- 5+ years of specialized blue economy experience
- Choose from 8 specialization areas
- Designed for experienced professionals with deep expertise
The Value of a Certified Community
SBEP is more than a credential, it’s a professional community.
Certified members share common standards and ethics, building trust with employers, regulators, and the public. The community also supports learning, mentorship, and continued professional growth.
Together, this strengthens the recognition and credibility of global, sustainable, blue economy professions.
Built on Recognized Standards
Built in collaboration.
SBEP is grounded in internationally aligned Blue National Occupancy Standards (BNOS) developed in collaboration with industry experts. This foundation ensures that SBEP is not subjective, but based on clear, industry-informed benchmarks.
Rigor & Accountability
SBEP is a professional designation, not a one-time certificate.
Our standard includes:
- Defined eligibility and experience requirements
- Assessment against established standards
- A code of professional ethics and conduct
- Ongoing professional development to maintain status
- Expert-led approvals board
- Yearly review of standards and requirements
This ensures the designation remains current, credible, and meaningful over time.
Approvals Board (BECAB)
The Blue Economy Certification and Approvals Board (BECAB) serves as the independent oversight body responsible for ensuring the integrity, credibility, and ongoing relevance of the Sustainable Blue Economy Professional (SBEP) designation.
BECAB provides strategic guidance and independent evaluation of certification standards and professional practice requirements within the growing blue economy. The Board works closely with certification staff to help ensure that certified professionals possess the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to contribute to a successful ocean economy.
Mike Turner
Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, Province of British Columbia – Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Jai Ragunathan
Faculty, School of Fisheries and Ocean Technology, Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Professor Ibrahim Ajagunna, PhD, FCILT, JP
Deputy to the President, Caribbean Maritime University
Create an Account & Check Your Eligibility
Use the SBEP application portal to see what pathway you are eligible for.