A majority of the world’s fish stocks are fully exploited or overexploited at a time when 37 percent of the global population (~2.8 billion people) lives in coastal communities. Many of these communities depend on the health of the oceans for their livelihoods, and the issue of overfishing is as much a human problem as it is an environmental one. Reducing overfishing requires both better business practices and natural resource conservation.
Our work happens where people, technology, science, business and finance collide. With deep knowledge of the seafood industry, we build collaborations of stakeholders. And with them, we identify and plug gaps in the system, leverage existing resources and build actionable platforms that incentivize engagement.
Our approach centers on making connections. On bringing fishing communities, funders, seafood businesses and others to the table to tap into the freshest ideas out there. For us, innovation never manifests as a silver bullet. It means carefully crafted solutions that are rooted in system forces, strategic alignment and scalability.
We are a diverse group including design thinkers, entrepreneurs, business consultants and scientists. Together, we’re more than the sum of our parts. Our work is sharpened by our diversity—in experience, in background, and in thought. As a team, we’re thirsty for a challenge and thrive when tackling some of the world’s most complex problems.
Billions of people depend on fish as a critical source of protein. From lobster divers in Belize to handline mahi-mahi fishers in Peru, communities around the world feed themselves and make a living from the fish they pull from the ocean every day. But these livelihoods are under threat. Climate change is already wrecking havoc for coastal communities in developing countries, with rising seas damaging dockside infrastructure and warming waters driving away traditional fish stocks. The result is loss of income, food, and in many cases, cultural heritage.
Laura is passionate about innovative business models and cross-sector collaboration for inclusive and sustainable livelihoods that value diversity and nature. She believes in a future that is inclusive, regenerative and circular, where systemic leadership will be fundamental. She is eager to collaborate and put capital to work for people and the planet!
At Future of Fish, we believe that voting is a fundamental right that should be protected and promoted to ensure everyone’s voices are represented, regardless of race, gender, income, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or political affiliation. As an international non-profit dedicated to supporting thriving coastal communities and ocean based economies, we are acutely aware that environmental threats, including climate change, disproportionately affect marginalized populations and low-income groups around the world.
The role of system intermediary isn’t about moving fish; it’s about moving information, money, and expertise to fill gaps in the system. And it’s critical for driving sustainable small scale fisheries. The artisanal hake fishers in Duao, Chile are organized and motivated. But like so many other small scale fishers who want to improve their practices, increase their capacities, and make changes to ensure they’re fishing sustainably, fishers in Duao struggle to access the resources to affect change. Laid out along a beautiful stretch of coastline, Duao was hit hard by the 2010 earthquake and tsunami, but has since been rebuilt, thanks to the commitment of the community and help from local NGOs. With over 90 boats in the local fleet, the small-scale hake fishery was and remains the heart of the town’s economy and identity, along with the robust tourist industry. Yet, declining fish stocks due to overfishing and climate change, difficulties accessing stable markets, and unstable pricing undermine fishers’ capacity to secure their livelihoods.
