Innovation in Blue Biotechnology is being driven by a number of scientific and technological advances, including breakthroughs in genomics, bioinformatics, genetic engineering and artificial intelligence (AI). The fact that it is faster and cheaper to unravel complete genomes of organisms, combined with AI-assisted tools for genetic annotation, is enabling the discovery of new bioactive compounds, the development of innovative bioprocessing techniques and the use of marine organisms for various applications, such as food and feed production, pharmaceuticals, biofertilisers, cosmetics, new materials and the use of whole microorganisms for bioremediation.

Blue Biotechnology is at an accelerated stage of development, mainly due to advances in next-generation sequencing technologies and the multiple omics tools that have been perfected. From metagenomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics, to proteomics, lipidomics and glycomics, all these tools make it possible to study the genetic material and biomolecules present in marine organisms ever more quickly and precisely.

The ocean will undoubtedly provide the largest source of renewable energy yet to be exploited (be it waves, tides, temperature or salinity gradients, or the wind generated in the ocean) as an alternative to non-renewable sources, which means that there is still much to be done in the field of the ocean.

Firstly, it is necessary to distinguish between energy sources, namely offshore wind, wave energy, tidal energy and ocean solar. Offshore wind energy is at a commercially mature stage and has even proved itself in Portugal. However, wave energy, tidal energy and ocean solar energy are at a less technologically mature stage.