Cuna del Mar appoints new leader as it changes focus
We must take huge strides toward regenerative outcomes, says founder Christy Walton
Cuna del Mar, an impact investment fund dedicated to regenerative aquaculture, has announced the appointment of Donald Grant as its 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.
Cuna del Mar said the appointment comes as it 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.
Huge strides
“We are at a pivotal moment where we must take huge strides toward regenerative outcomes,” said WalMart heiress Christy Walton, founder of Cuna del Mar and its umbrella company Innovacciones Alumbra.
“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 will strategically guide Cuna del Mar’s investments in its integrated ecosystem of 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, which contributes to the successful totoaba revitalisation in the Gulf of California, Mexico, are also in the portfolio.
Cuna del Mar sais this integrated network is intentionally designed to solve the most pressing challenges in aquaculture while building and restoring biodiversity and ocean health.
A bold, replicable solution
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.”
