Grant previously served as the fund's vice-president and Cuna del Mar said the appointment comes as it plans to take on a more active role as a global advocate for generative and regenerative aquaculture – a strategic shift after 15 years of developing open-ocean aquaculture technology and farming models.
“We are at a pivotal moment where we must take huge strides toward regenerative outcomes,” said Christy Walton, founder of Cuna del Mar and its umbrella company Innovacciones Alumbra, in a press release.
“Under Don’s leadership, Cuna del Mar seeks to transition from a pioneer to a global catalyst, ready to democratise this knowledge and accelerate technology, practices and models to support coastal economies.”
Grant has also been tsked with guiding Cuna del Mar’s investments in its portfolio companies. These include contract research organisations the Centre for Aquaculture Technologies (San Diego) and Onda (Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Canada), US salmon egg supplier SalmoGen (Maine), and fish farming equipment and technology supplier Innovasea (Boston).
Fish farming companies Open Blue, Blue Ocean Mariculture and Santomar are also in the portfolio.
Grant commented: “I am honoured to lead Cuna del Mar at a time when our food and ocean systems are under strain. The challenges are immense, but we believe regenerative aquaculture is a bold, replicable solution that can revitalise species, rebuild ecosystems, and feed communities while creating economic opportunities.
“My focus will be on mobilising our unique ecosystem of companies to not only prove what’s possible – as we’ve done with the revitalisation of the totoaba in Mexico through our portfolio company Santomar – but to share what we’ve learned. This includes collaborating with policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry partners to ensure that regenerative aquaculture becomes a powerful, global revitalisation tool.”
