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Cuna del Mar, the pioneering impact investment fund focused on warm-water regenerative aquaculture, is ready to transition from industry leader to global catalyst. With the recent appointment of Donald Grant as Managing Partner, the organization is committing to a much more active role in transforming the global food system.

After 15 years of figuring out how to do regenerative aquaculture successfully and economically, the time has come to share that knowledge.

“We’re going to be much more present,” Grant confirms. “We want to be an enabler, and we want to be part of helping to transform aquaculture in a more environmentally and socially sustainable way.”

Here’s how Cuna del Mar plans to accelerate the future of sustainable seafood:

• Democratizing Knowledge: Cuna del Mar will openly share the lessons learned from its portfolio companies, such as Santomar (which successfully restocked nearly 300,000 totoaba into the Gulf of California) and Blue Ocean Mariculture (the first open-ocean aquaculture firm in the U.S.).

• A Holistic Approach to Innovation: Recognizing the need for integrated solutions, Cuna del Mar’s portfolio extends beyond farming to include key technology partners like Innovasea. Their strategy is to focus on both production and the underlying technology needed to scale sustainable practices.

• Launch of the CAAI: The organization is investing in the new Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation (CAAI) in La Paz, Mexico. The CAAI is set to become the world’s leading center for warm-water aquaculture and new species development, serving as a critical global convening spot for collaboration with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners.

• Active Policy Advocacy: Cuna del Mar is committed to being more vocal with policymakers to advance sustainable solutions. They recently supported a new U.S. House bill to strengthen and expand offshore aquaculture in an environmentally responsible way, highlighting their push for effective regulation.

Cuna del Mar remains open to new investment opportunities that fit its thesis and complement its existing ecosystem of production, technology, and innovation. The goal is clear: to demonstrate that aquaculture can be done in a way that truly works for the ocean, people, and the planet.