Cuna del Mar, an investment fund dedicated to regenerative aquaculture, announced that its partners have appointed Donald Grant as the new managing partner. Grant, who previously served as vice president and has been instrumental in shaping Cuna del Mar’s strategy, is an entrepreneur, lawyer, and ecosystem builder focused on leveraging innovation to advance ocean solutions with positive outcomes for community, marine ecosystems, and economies.
The appointment comes as Cuna del Mar sharpens its focus on expanding its pioneering work and taking on a more active role as a global advocate for generative and regenerative aquaculture, a strategic shift after 15 years of developing economically viable and environmentally responsible open-ocean aquaculture technology and farming models.
Christy Walton, founder of Cuna del Mar and its umbrella company Innovacciones Alumbra, stated: “We are at a pivotal moment where we must take huge strides toward regenerative outcomes. Under Don’s leadership, Cuna del Mar seeks to transition from a pioneer to a global catalyst, ready to democratize this knowledge and accelerate technology, practices, and models to support coastal economies.”
Grant will strategically guide Cuna del Mar’s investments in its integrated ecosystem of portfolio companies, including: The Center for Aquaculture Technologies, Onda, SalmoGen, Innovasea, Open Blue, Blue Ocean Mariculture, and Santomar, which contribute to the successful Totoaba revitalization in the Gulf of California, Mexico. This integrated network is intentionally designed to solve the most pressing challenges in aquaculture while building and restoring biodiversity and ocean health.
Grant added: “I am honored 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 revitalize species, rebuild ecosystems, and feed communities while creating economic opportunities. My focus will be on mobilizing our unique ecosystem of companies to not only prove what’s possible – as we’ve done with the revitalization 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 revitalization tool.”
