La Paz Becomes Hub for Regenerative Aquaculture Innovation

The Innovation and Applied Aquaculture Center (CAAI) has established its headquarters in La Paz, Baja California Sur, to advance regenerative aquaculture through partnerships with IMIPAS, Tecnologico de Monterrey, and private operators such as Santomar. The initiative aligns scientific research, genetic improvement and ecosystem restoration with Mexico’s need to adapt to climate-driven shifts in fisheries, strengthen food security, and diversify coastal economies. The development is relevant for the aquaculture, fisheries, and blue economy sectors, as regulators and industry stakeholders expand sustainable production models under evolving environmental and trade pressures.

La Paz, Baja California Sur, is emerging as a hub for regenerative aquaculture, as the Innovation and Applied Aquaculture Center (CAAI) establishes its headquarters to advance science-based models that combine sustainable seafood production with marine ecosystem restoration and climate resilience in Mexico. The decision to operate in the city is strategic, given its strong ecosystem of higher education institutions, advanced scientific research and industry collaboration linked to aquaculture. Open-ocean fish systems, mollusk cultivation for mangrove restoration and restorative seaweed projects are already underway in the region.

From this location, CAAI will function as a platform for applied innovation, connecting fishing communities, local talent and territorial economic development to promote the availability, access, quality and sustainability of aquaculture products. “La Paz is the perfect launchpad for our global mission. By establishing our headquarters here, we position ourselves to lead a new era of regenerative aquaculture. Our goal is to demonstrate that scientific innovation can become a powerful driver of both environmental restoration and economic well-being,” said Ernesto Rodríguez Leal, Executive Director, CAAI.

CAAI was founded in 2024 by Innovaciones Alumbra (iAlumbra), an ecosystem of organizations focused on catalyzing economic models that restore nature, foster prosperity and support communities in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The organization operates as a platform to advance warm-water aquaculture solutions that contribute to restoring marine ecosystems, strengthening food security and generating economic opportunities for coastal communities.

In November 2025, CAAI formalized its first partnerships with the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (IMIPAS) and Tecnologico de Monterrey. The agreement aims to strengthen scientific research, technological innovation and talent development to promote aquaculture alternatives for communities already experiencing changes in marine resource availability due to warming waters.

Víctor Vidal, Director General, IMIPAS, emphasized that the collaboration seeks to develop viable options for coastal regions where fisheries have fluctuated. “It is essential for the Mexican government to develop viable aquaculture alternatives for people living in these communities,” he said.

For its part, Tecnologico de Monterrey formalized a Framework Collaboration Agreement designed to advance joint projects in innovation, entrepreneurship and technological development related to marine and coastal ecosystems. Linda Medina, Regional President of the School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, stated that the institution aims to leverage applied science as a tool for transformation. “This alliance allows us to bring together research, technology and innovation capabilities to drive solutions that restore marine ecosystems and support coastal communities,” she said.

Rodríguez noted that one of CAAI’s initial priorities will be to diversify the mollusk species cultivated in Baja California Sur. He explained that oyster production is currently concentrated in just two species, and that new cultivation methods will be developed to broaden the regional portfolio. He added that nutrition programs will also be launched in collaboration with sector companies to test and optimize feed formulas that reduce production costs.

The director stressed that the center is not tied to a specific technology but will assess different options according to local conditions. “Each implementation requires a mix of technologies; our work will be to identify the most viable packages for regenerative aquaculture operations,” he explained.

According to The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, published by the FAO, aquaculture accounted for approximately 51% of total global aquatic animal production in 2022, surpassing capture fisheries for the first time, which represented the remaining 49% that year. In this context, and considering the impacts of climate change, regenerative practices focus not only on production yields but also on actively restoring and improving marine and coastal ecosystems.

An active example of regenerative aquaculture is Santomar, a Baja California Sur-based company that has installed submersible open-ocean nurseries to raise key species such as totoaba, red snapper and oysters, with certified traceability that guarantees their origin. The venture, supported by iAlumbra, is committed to warm-water regenerative aquaculture in anticipation of changing ocean conditions.

“The planet is warming, and there will increasingly be more areas suitable for tropical warm-water regenerative aquaculture worldwide. We are getting ahead of this scenario and addressing how to sustainably feed a growing population with healthy, high-quality protein,” said Andrew Rhodes, Director of Public Relations and Policy, iAlumbra.

As part of its core actions, the company, whose origins date back to 2013, runs a genetic improvement program to help species such as red snapper withstand extreme conditions. The goal is to produce organisms that are more resilient and tolerant to high temperatures. This is achieved by selecting individuals that best survive extreme conditions and subsequently breeding them.

Additionally, as part of its ecosystem regeneration efforts, since 2015 Santomar has organized the release of totoaba specimens in the region in collaboration with local communities and authorities. During this period, the company estimates it has released around 280,000 individuals. The totoaba, an endangered species emblematic of the region, has long been at the center of environmental controversy due to illegal and unregulated fishing driven by demand in Asian markets.

In 2025, Santomar was recognized by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (Conapesca) with first prize in the Commercial Aquaculture category at the 2025 Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Awards. Through these awards, the Mexican government seeks to highlight and reward projects that contribute to the responsible development of the sector, promoting the conservation of aquatic resources and the well-being of the country’s fishing and aquaculture communities.

“The distinction we have received reflects Santomar’s commitment to balancing the responsible use of marine resources with conservation and recovery actions for vulnerable species such as totoaba, as well as innovation in the sustainable cultivation of red snapper. We firmly believe that sustainability is not a future goal, but a present-day practice that drives us to actively contribute to the restoration of marine ecosystems,” said Pablo Konietzko, Executive Director, Santomar.