Dagny-Elise Anastassiou, chief impact officer at Ava Ocean and project lead for Ocean Green, joined 100,000 visitors, 15,000 participants and more than 60 heads of state in Nice, southern France, for the United Nation’s third Ocean Conference.

Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the event closed with a number of pledges the UN describes as ‘ambitious’. These include a European Commission investment of €1 bn to support ocean conservation, science and sustainable fishing, a pledge by French Polynesia to create the world’s largest marine protected area and a commitment from New Zealand to strengthen ocean governance in the Pacific. Elsewhere, a 37-coutry coalition launched an initiative to tackle underwater noise pollution.

But private industry was notably absent from the conversations, says Anastassiou as she shares some quick-fire thoughts direct from Nice.

How would you sum up your UNOC experience?

Positive but logistically challenging. It was amazing to see the enthusiasm: so many people showed up from all sorts of countries, including some incredible speakers. The Crown Prince of Norway spoke at a couple of talks for example – he really showed excitement about the ocean space.

The logistics were a challenge however. The Blue Zone – for governments and accredited organisations – and the Green Zone – an open exhibition space – were a 25-minute-plus walk from each other, in the hot Mediterranean sun. That meant people were often late and my carefully planned schedule didn’t really work.

And even though the speakers were great, it was often the same speech with different terminology. We know about climate change and biodiversity loss and we know we want healthier oceans – but we need bold debate that asks daring questions to talk about why we’re not achieving the change we need.

What were the hot topics?

Biodiversity credits and data sharing.

What would you have liked to see more of?

We definitely need to get private industry involved in these discussions, rather than sidelining voices that are being depicted as part of the problem only. Ava Ocean and Ocean Green is just one example of how the industrial fishing industry can be a force for sustainable change, delivering partnerships with science and bringing innovation to a global food problem, a fishing problem and a marine biodiversity problem.

In the same way that COP is criticised for being too focused on private interest, this conference went too far the other way. Even coming from a firm like Ava Ocean, with a sustainable model that has reopened a long-shuttered fishery, I felt uncomfortable telling people I was from the fishing industry.

We need to find that middle ground that doesn’t involve going in guns blazing. It would be great to see some closed debates, where people can speak freely and know they won’t be quoted – and won’t be attacked on social media. Imagine bringing the frankness of the LinkedIn comments section to the stage instead of a series of panels discussing topics we’re already in agreement on.

There was a quote I heard repeated on probably a panel a day – probably because it really sums up what’s needed: If you want to go fast, you go low; if you want to go far, you go together.

Ultimately the challenges we face in the ocean need private collaboration and innovation alongside governments, NGOs and science. And we need to talk more about what collaboration actually looks like for it to work.

Who were you most excited to meet there?

I had the chance to meet the iconic oceanographer and marine biologist Sylvia Earle at an event hosted by the Blue Marine Foundation. She is such a huge inspiration to me, and meeting her in person was a highlight for sure.

How would you sum up the conversations you had with other attendees?

There was definitely interest in Ava Ocean technology but that was backed by scepticism too. It is clearly a struggle for people to equate industrial fishing with sustainable practices – even if we know we need more protein from the ocean.

Where did Ocean Green come into the conversation?

Ocean Green piqued the interest of most people I met. Everyone was speaking about 30x30: the idea of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Ocean green is really unique, in these conversations because it’s one of the few restoration projects that is able to approach the issue with an industry and business case. Our sustainable business model that uses new or undervalued marine resources with the potential for a cascading effect for biodiversity is something that really sparks a lot of interest.

What was the most exciting outcome of UNOC for you?

The European Ocean Pact. It’s the equivalent of the EU Green Deal – but for the ocean. The Green Deal did a lot to unlock funding and make space for innovation. So I’m excited to see how a similar plan for the ocean will translate into action, funding and regulation.