Sustainable, Cell-based Seafood

Prior to COVID-19, I served as Chief Scientist at resort in The Bahamas, developing its overarching sustainability plan & conservation program. This included serving on the resort's non-profit board.

I've had the opportunity to work on all sides of the conservation spectrum: within non-profit & private sectors; as a lecturer at The University of The Bahamas; for Bahamian governmental agencies on national projects; advocated for environmental policy changes and; as a marine scientist.

I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology from The College of Charleston and my Masters of Science in Biological Sciences from Florida International University. During this time, I've worked at The Medical University of South Carolina, culturing kidney cells. I am currently a PhD student under a New Harvest Fellowship at the University of Auckland, NZ. My research interests include using cellular agriculture as a technique for the long-term sustainability of economically important marine species.

This project has the potential to be a practical, balanced approach to ocean sustainability - filling fisheries demand-supply gaps; strengthening food security for island & coastal communities; providing a buffer for declining fisheries & those on the trajectory for collapse and, promote human and ecological health.

Cobo Foods, a recently formed Food tech company has embarked on a 4-Phase Molluscan Sustainable Innovation Process.

The Research & Development phase will be conducted during my doctorate studies. This phase will involve in-vitro experiments to test the feasibility of culturing molluscan cells. The second, Optimization Phase will assess ideas with sufficient, strategic, financial and technical merit, continuing our product development. 

The third, The Operational Phase will focus on prototyping, and the development of the overall operations plan and final, product testing.

Full-scale manufacturing trials will take place in the final phase before scaling up and, modular launches in vulnerable communities worldwide.

80 - 90% of global fisheries are now classified as overfished. The UN Food & Agriculture Organization  found that one-third of all fish stocks are depleted faster than they can replenish. Only seven percent of fish stocks are defined as under fished. In other words, we have either already taken or will completely deplete our marine resources.

A Good Food Institute Report reveals that globally, commercial fish meat  from a variety of different species, contains toxic concentrations of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and plastic! 

The United Nations reports that today, more than 820 million people regularly go to bed hungry, with 135 million suffering from acute hunger. The COVID-19 pandemic could now double these numbers, putting an additional 130 million people at risk of suffering acute hunger by the end of 2020, according to the World Food Program. The UN calls for a profound change of the global food and agricultural system if we are to nourish the more than 820 million people who are hungry and the additional 2 billion people the world will have by 2050.

Cell-based seafood production helps address challenges with declining fisheries and food security. 

Adult muscle cells from molluscs such as oyster, abalone and conch will be harvested and cultured. The cells will be grown in ideal culture conditions, promoting growth without ocean pollutants. 

The next phase includes the isolation of molluscan muscle stem cells. Ultimately, isolation of these stem cells will make a major company milestone. Stem cells are immortal and will allow for the continued growth of molluscs.

To see a product consumers will identify, Cobo Foods will then build the organic, supportive structures to support the cultured cells. 

Community is a major part of what Cobo Foods believes in. Post COVID-19 has demonstrated just how quickly supply chains can be cut and what that now means  for consumers and their dinner plates, and for factory workers doubly impacting their income & health.

Cobo Foods becomes a practical solution for ocean sustainability, re-centering food production to the community level. Once the innovation processes are finalized, Cobo Foods will open Cell-based Seafood Production Facilities in communities worldwide. Afterall, food security is a basic human need.

Countries & communities, all can benefit from sustainable fisheries, with the ability to employ and feed its citizens. These are the communities Cobo Foods endeavors to improve. 

The queen conch is a cultural icon and will disappear by 2029, scientists say. Conchs were once prolific in the Florida Cays, but overfishing and commercial harvesting caused the fishery to collapse in 1975. Aruba, Bermuda, Costa Rica, and Haiti conch fisheries have also perished from overexploitation, and many others are considered overfished as well.

Tourism accounts for 50% of The Bahamas' GDP. With international travel halted, single island economies will be challenged.  Despite conservation efforts, the FAO reports that only 7% of global fisheries are classified as underfished. These collapsing fisheries are directly linked to communities, people and their livelihoods.

This project will develop cell-based seafood production facilities worldwide to communities as a practical solution to the declining & extinction to their fisheries and to help fill food supply gaps.

Overfishing, the commercial extinction of marine fisheries and ocean pollution are global issues. Protected areas and fisheries regulations are all tools to reduce such pressures. The benefits of such measures may not be enough to disrupt downward trends.

Cell-based seafood production allows us to explore a bold idea, a sustainable and healthy approach to ocean sustainability. This helps to address global issues such as fisheries decline, ocean pollution, lost income and food insecurities.

Smaller cell-based seafood production facilities can sustainably produce seafood for surrounding communities, providing a secure, food-source.

The sea provided a meal and income for my family.  We lived sustainably off the land and sea.  I value these life experiences and how nature provided us with our basic needs. 

After working in the conservation industry for 22 years, I became frustrated following a Jan 2019 headline in the local daily which read, "Conch may be wiped out in The Bahamas within 10 - 15 years". I was frustrated because we saw the fishery collapse in the Florida Cays in 1975 and have yet to return. We are simply consuming our fisheries before it can self-replenish.

I recalled hearing about the infamous, beef patty in a petri dish.  Cellular agriculture has the potential to restore and protect collapsing fisheries, while providing food security for the world's growing population.

Michael Seldon at Finless Foods, directed me to Dr. Kate Kruger at New Harvest at the time to learn about funding opportunities. In little over a year, I successfully received over $275,000 from New Harvest Institute and The Lyford Cay Foundation to fund my doctorate studies and conduct cell-based seafood research at the University of Auckland with an exchange program at Tufts University.

Growing on an island inspired me. I understood how important land and sea resources were for island communities. It fed my family and provided a source of income. For my country, it has allowed us to export our product globally.

I grew up with an appreciation for our marine resources, leading me to pursue a career in marine biology. I am motivated by the need and urgency to  protect these resources. 

I am results driven, dedicating my career to protecting and the sustainable use of our marine resources. This has led me to participate in and lead scientific assessments of coral reef, mangrove and sea grass habitats. I surgically implanted acoustic transmitters in an economically important bonefish fishery (fly fishing) to understand where and when they spawn/reproduce. Locating these critical habitats allows for its protection through policy.

As equally important as my passion for ocean sustainability, also lies my belief that we have basic human rights. Being able to feed ourselves is one of these rights. Empowering vulnerable communities to produce their own food can address critical global food security issues. 

Cell-based and plant-based seafood production is a practical tool ocean conservation, a new field I've coined, Cellular Conservation.

For the past 22 years, I've worked in all aspects of the conservation field. Having a wide understanding of global issues such as fisheries collapse and conservation has enabled me to dissect the issues and search for practical solutions.

Governments are limited, especially in developing countries. Food security and production in these island communities are minimal, with great reliance on the importation of food. The quality of food imported lacks rigorous safety control measures.  Supply chains are fickle.

My passion inspired my pursuit for my Bachelor's and Master's degrees. I tracked economically important fish to understand their movements and to identify where and when they spawn. All research questions having implications for species conservation. I've influenced fishery policies. I've led rapid ecological assessments to gather the best scientific data needed to justify the creation of protected areas. Furthermore, I've taught Biology, Ecology & Small Island Economies & Sustainability at the university level. I've held senior leadership positions within environmental organizations and raised over $3 million to support conservation in The Bahamas. I've learned the skill of collaboration, networking, building strong partnerships and seizing great opportunities. 

It’s amazing how life challenges has the ability to break you or open the door to opportunities to walk your destined path. Life has guided me on a path that leads here to work now on a global platform because the challenges my island face is not unique to us but shared with many communities & countries worldwide.

Pre-COVID 19, my family's NZ visa applications were being processed with plans to spend the next three years in Auckland, studying at the University of Auckland. Excited to start my research, I had things perfectly mapped out,  research for the first three years and create Cobo Foods upon its completion.

Fast forward four months later and we are still in The Bahamas and NZ boarders as still closed. Through discussions with my supervisor, funders and collaborators, I readjusted plans. The University of Auckland is allowing me to start remotely. If NZ boarders remain closed, I will commence research at Tuft's University until boarders reopen.

COVD-19 revealed the need for stronger communities & reliable food chains. The time is now to breathe life into this idea. I was inspired again.

The lesson here, I took control of my future. Often and in our minds at least, we predetermine what steps we think we need to walk. Life happens and hits us with challenges. I got up, re-strategized, adjusted the plans. During the pandemic, I secured a $100,000 grant, formed Cobo Foods and recreated our research, development and our funding strategy. 

I am now submitting this application to you! How wonderful.

The bonefish industry values $141 million for The Bahamas. Despite this, very little was known about the fishery, its status or where these fish spawn. As such, robust conservation measures were lacking.

This inspired me to want to learn more. I started my master's research with conversations with bonefish guides. I wanted to learn their theories of the  long distance migration patterns of this economically important species. The guides helped me in deploying and retrieving the underwater "listening stations", and helped to catch the fish to surgically implant the transmitters. I included them every step of the way and shared the results, but it was no surprise to them because my research confirmed what they observed as little boys, some now in their 80s.

My research was the springboard for continued bonefish research in The Bahamas by other international scientists. The research helped form the first piece of sports fishing regulations in the country. The Bahamian Government awarded me with the Marine Scientist Award, in recognition for outstanding achievement in the field of Marine Science in The Bahamas.

Currently, I'm contracted by the Bahamas Sportsfishing Conservation Association to develop the industry's conservation, management, restoration and fundraising plan.

Cellular Conservation - It's a new approach to ocean sustainably & food security. We still have some of the same issues 22 years later, with some of them getting worse over time.

We always hear the saying we have to "think outside the box". Often sounding cliche, I tried to apply that approach to marine conservation. 

I think cell-based seafood production can be a practical tool to buffer declining species. Yes, there are other cellular agricultural companies but none are focusing on shellfish. Our scope can easily expand to other species. Our uniqueness involves the creation of smaller production units in communities worldwide working with governments, NGO's & foundations to support their creation.

Mankind has gotten itself in what I would call a conundrum. We've exploited the natural resources bestowed to us. As population growth increases, we may find it difficult to feed the world's growing population.  Mankind has truly disrupted the balance. The reciprocating actions should be to work together to find solutions.

Our theory of change is promoting ocean sustainability and strengthening food security. Through our work, we will provide better access to protein - strengthening our ability to restore oceans and to feed ourselves.

Our 4 step innovation process of Research & Development, Product Optimization, Operational Development & Scaling Up will allow us to commercially produce cell-based seafood.

The strategy to open more, smaller production facilities over fewer, larger facilities is a strategy within itself that will strengthen economies through the creation of production facility jobs. Depending on the species produced, these community employed facilities will work together to actively restore local or global species. Food supply chains will strengthen, fisheries can recover.

Food Security & Ocean Sustainability are our outcomes. Cell-based seafood production allows for this. Especially in vulnerable communities worldwide. Through adequate funding, multiple production units can be dispatched worldwide. A system and process designed with sustainable practices at its core, mankind has a practical solution to ocean sustainability & food security.

Communities can come together, feeling a sense of empowerment. The same fulfilled feeling I got when I started my garden post covid19 and after 4 months of seeing the start of food. I was able to put in the labour, work and time to yield a bounty soon. I want the essence of Cobo Foods to be that. We are working together as a community to feed ourselves and restore fisheries.

Currently, I am not serving anyone as my work has not started.  Within one year and with adequate funding, this project can serve a small team of 50 scientists & personnel to execute Cobo's 4 phase innovation process.  After 5 years, production facilities will have expanded with numerous facilities worldwide, employing & feeding communities, impacting potentially a quarter to half of the world's population. 

Over the next year, I plan to start Cobo's research and development process and further develop Cobo's company strategy and secure funding for further expansion. Within the next five years, Cobo's goals are to finalize product/s, and processes and create cell-based seafood production facilities worldwide.

The Research and development phases will be carried out during my doctorate research. A Cobo Foods facility will be created with staff and personnel to ramp up studies and refine food production processes. Collaborations across industries, agencies, organizations and governments will be established to influence policies, set industry standards & establish other community production facilities.

NZ closed borders is one immediate hurdle. However, to overcome this hurdle and not loose significant time, arrangements have been made for me to study at a US based university until NZ boarders reopen.The second hurdle over the next year - five years is securing sufficient fundings to build Cobo's research facility & hire the appropriate personnel. Over the next five years, we have to cross several R&D milestones. Since this is a new concept, public awareness and perception will be another barrier in the mid-long term.

NZ closed borders

Arrangements have been made for me to study at a US based university until NZ boarders reopen.

Securing sufficient fundings 

Applying to incubation/accelerator programs to get the professional and financial advice to grow Cobo Foods. Developing the company's pitch deck, website presence and other collaterals to assist in fundraising. Participating in industry events and conducting interviews and articles to elevate the company's profile.

R&D milestones

Expand research capabilities by increasing personnel. Stay current with industry trends and findings. Raise public awareness.

I am funded by New Harvest Institute and the Lyford Cay Foundation. I will study at The University of Auckland under the supervision of Dr. Laura Domigan. I will collaborate with Dr. David Kaplan's lab at Tufts University. To date, these are the only established relationships and collaborations.

Below is a list of funding raised to date for this project

New Harvest Institute Grant to support tuition, fees, equipment, small stipend and consumables - $116,328 USD over three years, starting end of 2020.

Lyford Cay Foundation's Fiona Albek Award to support research equipment and supplies - $100,000 USD over four years.

To scale up research, additional funding is required.