DEALS Ep.19-Seatopia
A chat with James Arthur Smith, Cof & CEO of Seatopia
Catch the interview on Youtube or Spotify. Subscribe to DEALS here.
What Stands Out
The first and only seafood brand building a fully traceable, DTC supply chain with sushi-grade seafood that’s both sustainably farmed and lab-tested for contaminants.
Seatopia is in a quality class of its own and tests each batch of seafood for mercury, microplastics, and nutrient density.
Their commitment to regenerative aquaculture not only delivers healthier seafood but also sets a new sustainability standard that actively restores ocean ecosystems.
"The vision is to create a low-risk model for farms to transition their feed practices to things that are healthier for the planet and healthier for humans. As we scale, we’re scaling that impact. I believe we can change the seafood industry—change the way food is produced around the world." - James
The Problem with Seafood Sourcing
Our traditional methods of sourcing seafood have reached a breaking point.
Wild-caught fish populations are under immense pressure due to decades of relentless overfishing, driven by global seafood demand that’s outpaced natural replenishment rates. Many of the world’s fisheries are now pushed beyond their sustainable limits.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, approximately 85% of global fish stocks are either fully exploited or significantly depleted.
The fish we do catch often cary unwanted contaminants from polluted oceans like mercury and microplastics.
Farm-raised fish have long suffered from poor practices — crowded pens and artificial diets packed with GMOs, cheap oils, and antibiotics.
The status quo can’t continue much longer.
"Jacques Cousteau famously said, 'The mark of civilization is the transition from hunters and gatherers to farmers.' And we need to learn how to do the same thing in the ocean, to evolve from extraction to cultivation and farming. That's what we're trying to do with Seatopia.” - James
Seatopia scallops raised in hanging lanterns in Sechura Bay, Peru
The Seatopia Solution
Seatopia is flipping the old seafood supply chain on its head with a model focused on delivering the cleanest seafood on the planet to consumers with no middlemen.
Butcherbox, but for seafood.
How it works:
First, Seatopia finds and partners with the top aquaculture farms around the globe, vetting fish diets, environment, and sustainability.
Seatopia meticulously evaluates farm practices, prioritizing those that use innovative feeds like microalgae and insect proteins.
Next, seafood is harvested and immediately blast-frozen on-site to preserve peak freshness. Lab tests happen concurrently to confirm quality.
Lab tests happen concurrently to confirm quality. Utilizing advanced nitrogen and blast-freezing tech, Seatopia locks in optimal flavor, texture and nutrition, while lab testing verifies omega-3 levels and confirms zero detectable mercury, microplastics, and contaminants.
Last, approved seafood is shipped to Seatopia warehouses for purchase by the end consumer via subscription or a-la-carte.
Each shipment is carefully packed with dry ice and temperature sensors to ensure quality is maintained door-to-door, providing consumers with convenient, safe, and sustainably-sourced seafood experiences.
On the menu:
🍣 Salmon I Ora King, New Zealand
🐠 Branzino I Esteros Lubimar, Spain
🐟 Steelhead I Hudson Valley Trout, New York
🦪 Scallops I Sechura Bay, Peru
Fish & Shellfish Variety Box. 15% off with code ‘PAPERBOY’
Aquaculture 3.0
Seatopia’s vision extends beyond simply selling fish; it’s more about transforming an antiquated industry and restoring balance to our oceans.
This is aquaculture 3.0. A model that prioritizes species-appropriate diets, cleaner environments, and full traceability.
It’s an ambitious mission, but the timing is right. With consumers increasingly prioritizing health and sustainability, and wild fisheries in decline, Seatopia offers a hopeful path forward.
If James and his team succeed, the future of seafood will be one where we can enjoy delicious, nutrient-rich fish without worrying about mercury or wiping out species – a future where our oceans thrive and dinner plates are full of responsibly raised bounty.
"Aquaculture 3.0 is not just sustainable but scalable and nutrient-rich. This evolution towards regenerative practices comes down to diet, farming practices, and site location, all directly benefiting ocean health." - James
