For all its growth, the seafood industry, aquaculture in particular, has for the most part stayed off the radar of major private equity agriculture investors, venture capitalists and high net-worth funds.

Up until now, there has been a small, stable group of investors banking on the sector. A steady flow of private equity houses come and go (and then do it all again), some high net worth individuals have stepped in, foundations have backed some small-scale sustainability-focused projects, and funds such as Bonafide, Cuna del Mar, Hatch and Aqua-Spark have gained some traction as industry-focused funds or incubators.