The Ocean Age

• #37: Catalina Cendoya – Patagonia Special (Part 2): The Dark Side of Aquaculture.

  Send us a textThis episode is part 2 of a special series recorded as I was travelling across Argentina and Chile, connecting with ocean founders, entrepreneurs, experts and activists. My guest today is Catalina Cendoya, whom I met when I visited a marine conservation organisation called Por El Mar (literally translates to "For the Sea"). Por El Mar coordinates projects across Patagonia, including, for example, rewilding subantarctic kelp forests in Tierra del Fuego and working on the conservation of a biological corridor off the coast of Argentina that includes 5 major marine species: sharks, orcas, whales, sea lions and dolphins. Catalina, or Cata, as everybody calls her, specifically is the Director of the Global Salmon Farming Resistance, which is the group behind the campaign that resulted in the ban of open-net salmon farming in Argentina, and it is now (as the name suggests) a global network.  It was a really open and honest conversation, looking at all the different perspectives on the matter. And it was a nice way for me to get out of my bubble and challenge my own assumptions.So if you’re up for the challenge, please enjoy!Catalina's Bio:Catalina feels at home by the coast, close to the sea, surrounded by nature. That deep sense of belonging has shaped her path, leading her to join The Global Salmon Farming Resistance (GSFR) in 2022. In 2023, she became the Director.She holds a degree in Political Science, driven by a commitment to creating meaningful change in people’s lives. She has worked in government roles supporting people in vulnerable situations and studied in Germany, where she learnt the language and was inspired by a culture deeply rooted in environmental care.As Director of the GSFR, Catalina leads the alliance’s actions and works with the team to shape strategies that protect the ocean from the harms of industrial salmon farming.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age and Guest Introduction00:02:04 - Catalina Cendoya's Background and Journey00:05:15 - Por el Mar and the Campaign to Ban Salmon Farming in Argentina00:10:06 - What Is Open Net Salmon Farming?00:12:58 - Environmental Impacts: Pollution, Disease, and Escapes00:21:12 - Social and Economic Challenges for Local Communities00:27:05 - Consumer Awareness and Norway's Marketing Success00:31:00 - Can Salmon Farming Be Made Sustainable?00:42:49 - Economic Arguments: Norway, Chile, and Tourism00:49:10 - The Problem with Regulation and Certification Schemes00:58:06 - Salmon vs Other Protein Sources: A Comparison01:04:36 - Alternative Ocean Economies and Other Fish Species01:06:12 - Global Movement: Key Victories and Milestones01:09:48 - The Power of Global Collaboration with Local Solutions01:13:45 - Vision for the Future and Resources to Learn MoreUseful Links & Resources:Catalina Cendoya on LinkedInPor El Mar: Website, LinkedInThe Global Salmon Farming Resistance (GSFR): Website, LinkedInGet in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at [email protected] Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Please send in your feed

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• #36: Daniela Allerbon – Patagonia Special (Part 1): Replacing Antibiotics in Aquaculture for the Prevention of Fish Infections.

  Send us a textFor the last month or so I've been travelling through Argentina and Chile, exploring what is an incredibly beautiful and important region for the world ocean economy, but one that we don't really hear much about, particularly in Europe and North America. Through the last four weeks or so, I have connected with lots of brilliant, brilliant people, from founders and entrepreneurs to experts and activists. Some of these in-person conversations will be turned into podcast episodes, and this is the first episode of this Patagonia Special series. My first guest is Daniela Allerbon, who is the CEO of Aquit, a startup that developed preventative treatment for infections in farmed fish that replaces antibiotics. The WHO predicted that by 2050 more people could die from super-resistant bacteria than cancer. Antibiotic overuse, a lot of which happens in animal production, including aquaculture, is one of the main causes of this global problem. Something that reduces the use of antibiotics could have a big positive impact.  We recorded the interview at their office in Buenos Aires, but the company operates down here in Patagonia, mostly on the other side of the Andes, in Chile. Daniela's Bio:Daniela is an economist specialising in the marketing and development of science-based products, with a focus on sustainable aquaculture and biotechnology. She has 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, 4 of which were devoted to developing and commercialising feed additives, utilising pre-clinical trials for human health products. She has also worked across the private and public sectors, as well as with NGOs and international organisations. Prior to founding Aquit in 2022, Daniela led research and development initiatives at Silvateam, where she managed the launch of a new business unit and coordinated international research on the microbiome and COVID-19. She has received several notable recognitions in the sector, including her participation in the Hatch Blue and Conservation International Ventures "Women in Ocean Food" program, and her completion, coming up first place, of the BIGinBIO program with the Ganesha Lab, focusing on biotechnology management. Daniela holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universidad de San Andrés and has completed postgraduate studies in management and policy in culture and communication.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age and Patagonia Special Series00:01:04 - Guest Introduction: Daniela Allerbon and Aquit00:02:23 - Innovation Park and Team Dynamics00:03:57 - Daniela's Early Career and the 2001 Economic Crisis00:08:16 - Adapting to Change and Entrepreneurial Spirit00:13:12 - Public Perception of Aquaculture and Communication Challenges00:19:10 - Daniela's Career Transition to Aquit00:31:16 - Aquit's Mission: Farming Fish Without Antibiotics00:37:31 - Innovation Challenges and Award Recognition00:41:03 - The Science Behind Aquit's Product00:46:24 - Expanding Technology to Other Species and AI's Role00:49:25 - Compelling Reasons for Farmers to Adopt New Solutions00:54:00 - The Global Issue of Antibiotic Resistance01:05:03 - Radical Empathy: Advice for Entrepreneurs01:06:43 - Ocean Entrepreneurs and the Impact-Profitability Challenge01:10:37 - Being a Latin American Startup with Global Ambitions01:21:11 - Unconscious Bias in Venture CapitalUseful Links & Resources:Aquit’s websiteAquit on LinkedIn Daniela Allerbon on LinkedInDaniela mentioned the book "Reinventing Organizations" by Frédéric Laloux

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• #35: Adam Parker – Building an Ocean Megabrand: How to Take on the Giants in The Consumer Goods Market, with the ReFounder of OceanSaver.

  Send us a textAdam Parker is a seasoned brand leader with over 13 years of experience building consumer goods brands into household names. Currently leading Ocean Saver, a UK brand creating plastic-free, plant-based cleaning products that protect ocean life. He's passionate about scaling next-generation brands that are transforming entire categories.Prior to Ocean Saver, Adam was the first employee and Managing Director of PÄRLA, a plastic-free oral care brand that he established as the #1 challenger in the category with over 1,000 distribution points across major retailers including Boots, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose.Before his startup ventures, Adam spent six years as Brand Director of Oral-B at Procter & Gamble, managing a £500 million revenue business. Under his leadership, Oral-B achieved market share leadership and became the #1 most popular brand within P&G's entire portfolio. His notable achievements include making Oral-B the top-selling product on Amazon Prime Day for three consecutive years.Adam studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University and completed leadership training at the Institute for Young Leaders in Jerusalem.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:10 - Meet Adam Parker: Background and Leadership Training 00:07:21 - Studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford 00:13:57 - The Journey at Procter & Gamble 00:16:14 - Learning from Brand Management at P&G 00:22:12 - The Importance of Consumer Research 00:25:49 - Transitioning to Ocean Saver 00:28:53 - The Challenges of Sustainability in Big Corporations 00:32:10 - The State of Ocean Saver Upon Joining 00:35:05 - The Role of Re-founders at Ocean Saver 00:41:14 - Creating an Ocean Megabrand 00:44:14 - Differentiating from Niche Eco-Brands 00:46:45 - The Power of the Ocean in Marketing 00:50:26 - Consumer Psychology and Purchase Decisions 00:51:23 - Making the Leap of Faith Smaller for Consumers 00:53:12 - Where to Find Ocean Saver Products and ClosingUseful Links & Resources:Ocean Saver website: ocean-saver.comOcean Saver on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube  Adam Parker on LinkedIn***Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at [email protected] Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Eliana Caragia manages Distribution and Engagement. Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

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• #34: Jay Dignan – Cracking the Seaweed Code: How Fucoidan Unlocks a Profitable Business Model

  Send us a textAs the founder of BioMara, a marine biotech startup based in Scotland, Jay Dignan is dedicated to transforming regenerative seaweed into functional and healthy B2B ingredients for the food and wellness industries. His professional journey began in New Zealand and includes a diverse range of experiences, from deep-sea salvage and working with Tibetan yak wool to media mergers and acquisitions.Jay has over two decades of cross-disciplinary experience as a founder, CFO, and strategic consultant. His self-described "squiggly" career path was complemented by an MBA from a UK university. He is passionate about seaweed's potential to contribute to a sustainable future and help feed the world. Jay is focused on finding synergies among researchers, innovators, investors, and business leaders to help realise the promise of the seaweed industry for a healthier planet and healthier people.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:44 - Jay's Background and “Squiggly” Career Path00:06:50 - The Importance of Diverse Experiences00:10:33 - The Role of an MBA in an Entrepreneur's Journey00:14:03 - The Tibetan Yak Herder Experience00:20:31 - The Challenges of the Western Seaweed Industry00:24:54 - Frustrations Faced as an Ocean Entrepreneur00:34:25 - The Founding of BioMara and Its Business Model00:41:02 - Developing and Validating the biorefinery System00:43:43 - Understanding BioMara's Core Products00:46:40 - The Potential of Fucoidan in Human Health00:54:19 - Lessons from the Ashwagandha and Manuka Honey Markets00:58:55 - The "Health by Stealth" Approach01:09:18 - The Process of Building a Founding Team01:12:54 - A Call to Action for Food and Nutraceutical CompaniesUseful Links & Resources:Jay Dignan on LinkedInBioMara’s website: Food & Wellness. Products: Seafibrex & Thalivra & RevyntraBioMara on LinkedinBiomara’s White Paper on Fucoidan Scientific paper by BioMara’s team with an overview of fucoidan, its applications and extraction technique.***Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at [email protected] Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Eliana Caragia manages Distribution and Engagement. Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

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• #33: Kira Smiley – Seeing the Unseen: Ocean Tech, AI, and the Data-Driven Future of Aquaculture

  Send us a textKira Smiley is the Global Director of Sales and Marketing at TidalX AI, a startup born from Google[x] (now X, the moonshot factory), focused on developing radical technologies to support the ocean economy while sustainably managing and protecting it. Since joining Tidal in 2020, Kira has worn several hats across business development, product, international customer operations, and program management. She served on the leadership committee for Alphabet’s Women of X organisation for several years and is a member of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture. Kira attended Stanford University and received both a B.S. in Earth Systems and an M.S. focused on sustainable global food security and the environment. She is a 2019 recipient of the DoSER Public Engagement Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to Kira Smiley and TidalX Technology00:04:19 - Importance and Environmental Impact of Tidal's Technology00:08:49 - Health Monitoring and Sea Lice Management00:10:23 - Tidal's Mission and Origin at X the Moonshot Factory00:13:29 - The Origin Story of Tidal and its Partner Mowi00:20:03 - Kira Smiley's Background and Interest in Aquaculture00:23:13 - The Sustainability of Fish as a Protein Source00:27:06 - The Culture of Innovation at X00:32:49 - The Principle of "Starting with the Hardest Thing First"00:35:10 - Transition from R&D to a Commercial Product00:40:51 - Early Challenges and Pivots in Development00:43:18 - Factors Leading to the Spin-off from Alphabet X00:48:52 - Tidal's International Expansion and Strategy00:57:10 - The Future of the Blue Economy and Investment01:07:10 - A Call to Action for Innovators and Final RemarksUseful Links & Resources:Kira Smiley: LinkedIn TidalX AIAqua Nor Conference, Trondheim, 18-21 August 2025World Bank Report - Harnessing the Waters: Sustainable AquacultureCoalition for Sustainable AquacultureGlobal Salmon Initiative Google X: Website***Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at [email protected] Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Eliana Caragia manages Distribution and Engagement. Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

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