Emerging ocean-based industries and activities are characterised by the key role played by cutting-edge science and technology in their operations. They include: offshore w'ind, tidal and wave energy; offshore extraction of oil and gas in deep-sea and other extreme locations; seabed mining for metals and minerals; marine aquaculture; marine biotechnology; ocean monitoring, control and surveillance. Looking further to the future, there are fledgling or, as yet, “unborn” industries which could potentially join this category. Examples are carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the management of ocean scale protected areas.