San Francisco, USA and Halifax, Canada
Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and Future Ocean Foods (FOF) are proud to announce the launch of their global partnership, which signifies a commitment to work together collaboratively to accelerate meaningful solutions for restoring ocean health.
SOA and FOF share a mission to support global ecopreneurs and businesses that are developing innovative ways to protect our ocean and the sentient life within it. Both SOA and FOF have created and continue to catalyze vast networks of founders, investors, and ecosystem players in the sustainable blue economy to drive true and lasting whole systems change.
Both global organizations are founded and led by women passionate about entrepreneurship, social impact, and innovation: Daniela V. Fernandez, Founder & CEO of SOA, and Marissa Bronfman, Founder & Executive Director of FOF.
"Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Future Ocean Foods both recognize the importance of investing in solutions that sit at the intersection of innovation and a thriving ocean," said Daniela on the partnership.
"Ecopreneurs and climate-conscious innovations, like plant-based alternative seafood, are the building blocks needed to create a more sustainable future. There are opportunities for everyone in the blue economy, and partnerships like this one help bring us one step closer to restoring and protecting our ocean's health for future generations."
The ocean covers 71% of the globe’s surface, represents the planet’s largest carbon sink, and generates 50% of the oxygen on Earth. Amidst the current climate crisis, the importance of safeguarding our ocean cannot be underestimated. However, human activity is stressing our planetary systems beyond capacity. The global population is expected to reach nearly 10 billion people by 2050, with 3.3 billion people currently relying on seafood as their primary protein source—and grim projections foresee global fisheries collapsing by 2048. Together, SOA and FOF are committed to solving these pressing challenges by supporting and scaling future-forward solutions to food.
“I am thrilled to partner with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, as we share a deep commitment to accelerating innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment to save our ocean and the sentient beings found within them,” said Marissa. “Seafood analogs are a powerful solution to problems created by climate change, overfishing, bycatch, ocean acidification, pollution, population growth, and food insecurity. We at FOF are excited to work alongside SOA to advance the global alternative seafood industry and create a transformational impact together.”
In addition to the partnership, Marissa is pleased to join SOA’s expert committee for the 2024 Ocean Pitch Challenge. Read more about her work in Daniela’s Planet & Purpose Newsletter, published on February 29.
About Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA)
Sustainable Ocean Alliance is a global nonprofit organization created by youth—for youth—dedicated to activating young people, developing and implementing innovative solutions, and mobilizing an ocean workforce to restore the health of the ocean in our lifetime. SOA was founded in 2014 by Daniela V. Fernandez during her first year at Georgetown University to bring youth voices and solutions to the forefront of the conversation.
Today, SOA has grown into the world’s largest network of young ocean leaders, innovators, and policymakers. To date, we have accelerated 370+ solutions (and counting) to the greatest threats facing our ocean. These solutions include for-profit startups and community-led nonprofit projects around the world.
About Future Ocean Foods (FOF)
Future Ocean Foods is a new global seafood association that is dedicated to supporting and accelerating the alternative seafood industry worldwide. Founded in 2023 with 36 companies spanning plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated food and technology in 14 countries, Future Ocean Foods will soon grow to 50 companies. Members are united in their mission to promote food security, human health, environmental sustainability, and ocean conservation. Future Ocean Foods is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion, with 40% of its member base comprised of women founders.
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