Ocean Economy Imperative 2026

Contributors McKinsey & Company World Economic Forum Lead authors Lea Chang Project Fellow, Giving to Amplify Earth Action Alfredo Giron Head of Ocean Ronald Tardiff Ocean Innovation Lead Additional authors Maxime Barras Project Specialist, Ports Ecosystems Emma Dries Blue Finance Specialist Manuela Fulga Ocean Economy and Finance Lead Hanh Nguyen Ocean Industries Lead Erin Skoczylas Communications Lead Yuito Yamada Senior Partner Natalie Nah Sustainability Specialist Production Michela Liberale Dorbolò Designer, World Economic Forum Mark Schulman Editor Acknowledgements This publication was made possible through the support of Dalio Philanthropies. Their commitment to advancing ocean science, conservation, and finance enabled the research and analysis presented in this report, contributing to the efforts of the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda to balance economic development with the long-term health of marine and coastal ecosystems in collaboration with the Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) community. The Ocean Economy Imperative: Defining Value, Managing Risk and Mobilizing Investment 17