The University of Wollongong (UOW), through the Global Challenges program, has been exploring community based approaches to the Blue Economy since 2016. The program of works began with a small internal ’scoping’ study, which explored the capacity of UOW to contribute to a sustainable and socially equitable Blue Economy in our region (Southeast NSW). It then examined the historical contribution of maritime industries to our region followed by a ‘stocktake’ of existing businesses and activities in the region that rely on healthy ocean ecosystems.  The current Blue Futures ‘keystone’ project is a collaboration between university researchers and the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council, that functions to explore and make advancements in the governance, relationships, and innovations around the future of a blue economy in our region. The project operates from and is informed by a local Aboriginal worldview and relationship to knowledges.