Finding common ground: Assessing the Co-location potential of California's blue food and clean energy sectors

California is striving to expand its ‘blue economy’ to meet growing demand for marine resources, including seafood and renewable energy. As a result, there has been a growing competition for ocean space. Co-location, multiple sectors (e.g., aquaculture and renewable energy) operating in the same ocean space at the same time, is one potential approach that can reduce competition amongst stakeholders. However, there has been limited quantitative investigation into the potential of co-located systems along the California coast. Using a combination of observation and model outputs across four ocean sectors (aquaculture, wave energy, wind energy and wild capture fisheries), we quantify the co-location suitability of at least two of the sectors along the California coast (0.0404° resolution) by calculating a Co-location Suitability (CLS) score (0 – no suitability to 1 – perfect suitability). We find a clear trend of higher CLS scores in the waters offshore of Northern California, but the steep bathymetry limits the potential for aquaculture and wave production based on current technological and/or cost constraints. Notably, we find climate extreme thermal events, (i.e., marine heatwaves) will likely exacerbate regional differences in suitability with typically cooler Northern regions performing better. This research provides an initial framework for evaluating co-location potential and its ability to increase the efficiency of marine space-use in crowded seascapes in California waters and beyond. • Co-location is an approach to help create space for increasing and different ocean activities. • A production-based Co-location Suitability score was modeled for four ocean food and energy sectors on the California coast. • A positive Northwestern trend in co-location suitability showed high regional potential, but no perfect location. • Depth constrained wave energy and aquaculture, highlighting limits of technology and/or cost. • Marine heatwaves will likely increase the regional differences.