REGENERATING OCEANS.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AQUACULTURE.
In La Paz, Baja California Sur —where the desert meets one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth— the Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation (CAAI) is breaking new ground. It’s the first of its kind fully focused on warm-water aquaculture.
REGENERATING OCEANS.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AQUACULTURE.
In La Paz, Baja California Sur —where the desert meets one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth— the Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation (CAAI) is breaking new ground. It’s the first of its kind fully focused on warm-water aquaculture.
Shaping the Future of Aquaculture
Shaping the Future of Aquaculture
OUR GOAL:
Accelerate applied solutions that restore oceans, feed people, and power sustainable coastal economies. We take a bioregional approach with global application.
OUR GOAL:
Accelerate applied solutions that restore oceans, feed people, and power sustainable coastal economies. We take a bioregional approach with global application.
OUR FOCUS INCLUDES:
APPLIED INNOVATION
Make advanced science and tech useful — fast. Simple tools, real impact, grounded in both research and traditional know-how.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & MENTORSHIP
Turn big ideas into aquaculture ventures with the tools, state-of-the-art facilities, and network to grow.
AQUACULTURE TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Learn by doing. Train, collaborate, and lead in a future-facing ocean economy.
SENSE OF PLACE – AN OCEAN COMMUNITY
Plug into a space where coastal culture, identity, and ocean stewardship matter.
VIABLE FINANCIAL MODELS
Shape new ways to fund, grow, and scale regenerative aquaculture projects with real-world impact.
OUR FOCUS INCLUDES:
APPLIED INNOVATION
Make advanced science and tech useful — fast. Simple tools, real impact, grounded in both research and traditional know-how.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & MENTORSHIP
Turn big ideas into aquaculture ventures with the tools, state-of-the-art facilities, and network to grow.
AQUACULTURE TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Learn by doing. Train, collaborate, and lead in a future-facing ocean economy.
SENSE OF PLACE – AN OCEAN COMMUNITY
Plug into a space where coastal culture, identity, and ocean stewardship matter.
VIABLE FINANCIAL MODELS
Shape new ways to fund, grow, and scale regenerative aquaculture projects with real-world impact.
FROM VISION TO ACTION
APPLIED
INNOVATION
WITH PURPOSE,
SPEED, AND
REPLICABILITY.
The Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation is where breakthroughs are made practical. Designed to connect science, industry, and community, it moves fast-turning applied research and innovation into action that delivers impact in the ocean and on land.
FROM VISION
TO ACTION
APPLIED INNOVATION
WITH PURPOSE, SPEED, AND REPLICABILITY.
The Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation is where breakthroughs are made practical. Designed to connect science, industry, and community, it moves fast-turning applied research and innovation into action that delivers impact in the ocean and on land.
THIS IS HOW
WARM-WATER
AQUACULTURE MOVES
FORWARD – TOGETHER.
- Applied R&D that tackles urgent challenges.
- Programs that connect startups, researchers, and producers.
- Infrastructure built for hands-on learning and rapid deployment.
- Local training that grows regional talent.
- Global alliances that scale ideas beyond borders.
- Applied R&D that tackles urgent challenges.
- Programs that connect startups, researchers, and producers.
- Infrastructure built for hands-on learning and rapid deployment.
- Local training that grows regional talent.
- Global alliances that scale ideas beyond borders.
THIS IS HOW WARM-WATER AQUACULTURE MOVES FORWARD – TOGETHER.
LA PAZ,
BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR:
A launchpad for ocean innovation
We are based in one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world — the Gulf of California. Known for its endemic species and enduring ocean heritage, this region is prime for aquaculture innovation.
LA PAZ, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR:
A launchpad for ocean innovation
We are based in one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world — the Gulf of California. Known for its endemic species and enduring ocean heritage, this region is prime for aquaculture innovation.
This is where (re)generative aquaculture is at the leading edge. Across the region, open-ocean finfish systems, shellfish farms supporting mangrove restorations, and emerging restorative algae projects are redefining what ocean-based food systems can look like.
Recognized by UNESCO as a Learning City, La Paz is home to a dense academic and research network — UABCS (Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur), UABC (Universidad Autónoma de Baja California), CICIMAR (Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas), CIBNOR (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste) and others — creating a strong foundation for collaboration and applied research and innovation.
With a growing workforce and deep-rooted ties to the sea, Baja California Sur is uniquely positioned to lead a new chapter in ocean health and aquaculture innovation.
This is where (re)generative aquaculture is at the leading edge. Across the region, open-ocean finfish systems, shellfish farms supporting mangrove restorations, and emerging restorative algae projects are redefining what ocean-based food systems can look like.
Recognized by UNESCO as a Learning City, La Paz is home to a dense academic and research network — UABCS (Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur), UABC (Universidad Autónoma de Baja California), CICIMAR (Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas), CIBNOR (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste) and others — creating a strong foundation for collaboration and applied research and innovation.
With a growing workforce and deep-rooted ties to the sea, Baja California Sur is uniquely positioned to lead a new chapter in ocean health and aquaculture innovation.
NEWS & UPDATES
(RE)GENERATIVE
AQUACULTURE IS
HAPPENING NOW.
Breakthroughs, fieldwork, new alliances, bold ideas in motion — explore the latest below…
NEWS & UPDATES
(RE)GENERATIVE
AQUACULTURE IS
HAPPENING NOW.
Breakthroughs, fieldwork, new alliances, bold ideas in motion — explore the latest below…
Our participation at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference is bringing attention to warm-water (re)generative aquaculture and the Gulf of California.
Our participation at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference is bringing attention to warm-water (re)generative aquaculture and the Gulf of California.
OUR PARTNERS
REAL PARTNERS. REAL ACCESS. REAL IMPACT.
The CAAI is backed by a powerful and growing coalition of organizations committed to restoring oceans, advancing innovation, and building resilient coastal economies.
These partners will share their expertise, mentor the next generation, and help shape the programs and experiences within the Center.
Our founding partners include:
Each partner brings capital, credibility, real-world insight, networks, and a long-term commitment to the CAAI’s mission — and to the people who will shape it.
OUR PARTNERS
REAL PARTNERS.
REAL ACCESS.
REAL IMPACT.
The CAAI is backed by a powerful and growing coalition of organizations committed to restoring oceans, advancing innovation, and building resilient coastal economies.
These partners will share their expertise, mentor the next generation, and help shape the programs and experiences within the Center.
Our founding partners include:
Each partner brings capital, credibility, real-world insight, networks, and a long-term commitment to the CAAI’s mission — and to the people who will shape it.