Cuna del Mar 'a better fit’ for aquaculture R&D group

Center for Aquaculture Technologies views new Walton-backed parent’s aquaculture background as major boost.

Cuna del Mar's acquisition puts it firmly under the R&D microscope.Foto: Shutterstock

John Evans

Cuna del Mar’s credentials as an investor in aquaculture projects are seen as a major advantage by senior executives at the Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT).

Walton family-backed Cuna del Mar’s move to acquire CAT from Linnaeus Capital Partners for an undisclosed fee was unveiled on Wednesday.

CAT Vice President of Research Debbie Plouffe told IntraFish the fact that Cuna del Mar is an investment firm focused on supporting development in sustainable aquaculture should be of great benefit.

This is seen as vital in a sector in which the company has to adapt to a constantly changing environment and client needs.

“It’s a better fit from our previous ownership, who were investors in a lot of different things, not necessarily aquaculture,” she said.

CAT currently operates two laboratories: its research hub in San Diego, California, and state-of-the-art wet lab facilities including biosafety level (BSL 3) containment for aquatic animal pathogens on Prince Edward Island in Canada.

Cuna Del Mar owns offshore cobia producer Open Blue Sea Farms, aquaculture technology company Innovasea Land Systems, Mexican totoaba and Pacific red snapper producer Earth Ocean Farms and oyster producer Sol Azul Maricultivos in Mexico.

“They are already involved in so many aquaculture ventures and this brings synergies,” Plouffe said.