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The Ocean AgeAuthor: Fed DeGobbi
This podcast is for ocean entrepreneurs and innovators who want to grow and succeed in the blue economy. Through interviews with industry leaders, founders, and subject matter experts, I will share their stories, unpack their most important lessons, and extract actionable insights and best practices. Language: en Genres: Business, Earth Sciences, Entrepreneurship, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#37: Catalina Cendoya – Patagonia Special (Part 2): The Dark Side of Aquaculture.
Monday, 8 December, 2025
Send us a textThis episode is part 2 of a special series recorded as I was travelling across Argentina and Chile, connecting with ocean founders, entrepreneurs, experts and activists. My guest today is Catalina Cendoya, whom I met when I visited a marine conservation organisation called Por El Mar (literally translates to "For the Sea"). Por El Mar coordinates projects across Patagonia, including, for example, rewilding subantarctic kelp forests in Tierra del Fuego and working on the conservation of a biological corridor off the coast of Argentina that includes 5 major marine species: sharks, orcas, whales, sea lions and dolphins. Catalina, or Cata, as everybody calls her, specifically is the Director of the Global Salmon Farming Resistance, which is the group behind the campaign that resulted in the ban of open-net salmon farming in Argentina, and it is now (as the name suggests) a global network. It was a really open and honest conversation, looking at all the different perspectives on the matter. And it was a nice way for me to get out of my bubble and challenge my own assumptions.So if you’re up for the challenge, please enjoy!Catalina's Bio:Catalina feels at home by the coast, close to the sea, surrounded by nature. That deep sense of belonging has shaped her path, leading her to join The Global Salmon Farming Resistance (GSFR) in 2022. In 2023, she became the Director.She holds a degree in Political Science, driven by a commitment to creating meaningful change in people’s lives. She has worked in government roles supporting people in vulnerable situations and studied in Germany, where she learnt the language and was inspired by a culture deeply rooted in environmental care.As Director of the GSFR, Catalina leads the alliance’s actions and works with the team to shape strategies that protect the ocean from the harms of industrial salmon farming.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age and Guest Introduction00:02:04 - Catalina Cendoya's Background and Journey00:05:15 - Por el Mar and the Campaign to Ban Salmon Farming in Argentina00:10:06 - What Is Open Net Salmon Farming?00:12:58 - Environmental Impacts: Pollution, Disease, and Escapes00:21:12 - Social and Economic Challenges for Local Communities00:27:05 - Consumer Awareness and Norway's Marketing Success00:31:00 - Can Salmon Farming Be Made Sustainable?00:42:49 - Economic Arguments: Norway, Chile, and Tourism00:49:10 - The Problem with Regulation and Certification Schemes00:58:06 - Salmon vs Other Protein Sources: A Comparison01:04:36 - Alternative Ocean Economies and Other Fish Species01:06:12 - Global Movement: Key Victories and Milestones01:09:48 - The Power of Global Collaboration with Local Solutions01:13:45 - Vision for the Future and Resources to Learn MoreUseful Links & Resources:Catalina Cendoya on LinkedInPor El Mar: Website, LinkedInThe Global Salmon Farming Resistance (GSFR): Website, LinkedInGet in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on LinkedIn, X or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.coThe Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Please send in your feed
