The Ocean Age

Fed DeGobbi
  • 5.0 (3)
  • EARTH SCIENCES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

This podcast is for ocean entrepreneurs and innovators who want to grow and succeed in the blue economy. Through interviews with industry leaders, founders, and subject matter experts, I will share their stories, unpack their most important lessons, and extract actionable insights and best practices.

  1. JAN 13

    #38: Jose Puga – Patagonia Special (Part 3): Nanobubbles to Remediate the Seabed

    Send us a text This is the third and final part of a special series I recorded as I was connecting with ocean founders and experts in Latin America. Each episode is a standalone interview, so if you’ve missed the previous two, that’s absolutely fine. This time, my guest is Jose Puga, Co-Founder and CEO of ChucaoTech. This is a start-up based in Chilean Patagonia that uses nanobubble technology in aquaculture. Injecting nanobubbles provides oxygen to the fish but is also used to remediate the seabed from the pollution caused by open-net fish farms. We’ll dive into this innovative and award-winning technology, but we’ll also hear Jose’s entrepreneurial journey, which is a really cool story. A mechanical engineer who was in the world largest radio telescope (working with oxygen masks up at 5000 m or 16000 feet in the Atacama Desert), he moved to the UK as a consultant, to then come back to Chile and start his own business, which was not without some tense and dark moments. Jose's Bio: Mechanical engineer, Master of Science in Engineering (Pontifical Catholic University of Chile) and a Master's in Industrial Systems (University of Cambridge, UK).  With more than 10 years of experience in Chile and abroad in the implementation of various projects and design of products in sectors such as aquaculture, astronomy, mining and consumer products. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age Podcast 00:00:32 - Guest Introduction: Jose Puga of ChucaoTech 00:02:03 - Defining the Problem in Aquaculture 00:05:48 - Seabed Remediation Problem 00:08:49 - Nanobubbles Explained 00:13:07 - Customers and Market for Chucao Tech 00:23:05 - Jose's Background: ALMA Project in Atacama Desert 00:28:48 - Transition to Cambridge and Product Development 00:35:01 - Founding ChucaoTech 00:42:03 - Pivot to Seabed Remediation Service 00:47:03 - Difficult Moments and Financial Strain 00:49:35 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 01:10:23 - Ocean Concerns and Environmental Purpose 01:12:59 - Difficult moment: From 65 to 13 People 01:14:29 - Final Message and Contact Information Useful Links & Resources: Jose Puga on LinkedIn ChucaoTech: Website, LinkedIn Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.co *** The Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants.  Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

    1h 16m

  2. 12/09/2025

    #37: Catalina Cendoya – Patagonia Special (Part 2): The Dark Side of Aquaculture.

    Send us a text This episode is part 2 of a special series recorded as I was travelling across Argentina and Chile, connecting with ocean founders, entrepreneurs, experts and activists. My guest today is Catalina Cendoya, whom I met when I visited a marine conservation organisation called Por El Mar (literally translates to "For the Sea"). Por El Mar coordinates projects across Patagonia, including, for example, rewilding subantarctic kelp forests in Tierra del Fuego and working on the conservation of a biological corridor off the coast of Argentina that includes 5 major marine species: sharks, orcas, whales, sea lions and dolphins. Catalina, or Cata, as everybody calls her, specifically is the Director of the Global Salmon Farming Resistance, which is the group behind the campaign that resulted in the ban of open-net salmon farming in Argentina, and it is now (as the name suggests) a global network.  It was a really open and honest conversation, looking at all the different perspectives on the matter. And it was a nice way for me to get out of my bubble and challenge my own assumptions. So if you’re up for the challenge, please enjoy! Catalina's Bio: Catalina feels at home by the coast, close to the sea, surrounded by nature. That deep sense of belonging has shaped her path, leading her to join The Global Salmon Farming Resistance (GSFR) in 2022. In 2023, she became the Director. She holds a degree in Political Science, driven by a commitment to creating meaningful change in people’s lives. She has worked in government roles supporting people in vulnerable situations and studied in Germany, where she learnt the language and was inspired by a culture deeply rooted in environmental care. As Director of the GSFR, Catalina leads the alliance’s actions and works with the team to shape strategies that protect the ocean from the harms of industrial salmon farming. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age and Guest Introduction 00:02:04 - Catalina Cendoya's Background and Journey 00:05:15 - Por el Mar and the Campaign to Ban Salmon Farming in Argentina 00:10:06 - What Is Open Net Salmon Farming? 00:12:58 - Environmental Impacts: Pollution, Disease, and Escapes 00:21:12 - Social and Economic Challenges for Local Communities 00:27:05 - Consumer Awareness and Norway's Marketing Success 00:31:00 - Can Salmon Farming Be Made Sustainable? 00:42:49 - Economic Arguments: Norway, Chile, and Tourism 00:49:10 - The Problem with Regulation and Certification Schemes 00:58:06 - Salmon vs Other Protein Sources: A Comparison 01:04:36 - Alternative Ocean Economies and Other Fish Species 01:06:12 - Global Movement: Key Victories and Milestones 01:09:48 - The Power of Global Collaboration with Local Solutions 01:13:45 - Vision for the Future and Resources to Learn More Useful Links & Resources: Catalina Cendoya on LinkedIn Por El Mar: Website, LinkedIn The Global Salmon Farming Resistance (GSFR): Website, LinkedIn Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.co The Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants.  Please send in your feed

    1h 16m

  3. 11/18/2025

    #36: Daniela Allerbon – Patagonia Special (Part 1): Replacing Antibiotics in Aquaculture for the Prevention of Fish Infections.

    Send us a text For the last month or so I've been travelling through Argentina and Chile, exploring what is an incredibly beautiful and important region for the world ocean economy, but one that we don't really hear much about, particularly in Europe and North America. Through the last four weeks or so, I have connected with lots of brilliant, brilliant people, from founders and entrepreneurs to experts and activists. Some of these in-person conversations will be turned into podcast episodes, and this is the first episode of this Patagonia Special series. My first guest is Daniela Allerbon, who is the CEO of Aquit, a startup that developed preventative treatment for infections in farmed fish that replaces antibiotics. The WHO predicted that by 2050 more people could die from super-resistant bacteria than cancer. Antibiotic overuse, a lot of which happens in animal production, including aquaculture, is one of the main causes of this global problem. Something that reduces the use of antibiotics could have a big positive impact.  We recorded the interview at their office in Buenos Aires, but the company operates down here in Patagonia, mostly on the other side of the Andes, in Chile. Daniela's Bio: Daniela is an economist specialising in the marketing and development of science-based products, with a focus on sustainable aquaculture and biotechnology. She has 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, 4 of which were devoted to developing and commercialising feed additives, utilising pre-clinical trials for human health products. She has also worked across the private and public sectors, as well as with NGOs and international organisations.  Prior to founding Aquit in 2022, Daniela led research and development initiatives at Silvateam, where she managed the launch of a new business unit and coordinated international research on the microbiome and COVID-19.  She has received several notable recognitions in the sector, including her participation in the Hatch Blue and Conservation International Ventures "Women in Ocean Food" program, and her completion, coming up first place, of the BIGinBIO program with the Ganesha Lab, focusing on biotechnology management.  Daniela holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universidad de San Andrés and has completed postgraduate studies in management and policy in culture and communication. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age and Patagonia Special Series 00:01:04 - Guest Introduction: Daniela Allerbon and Aquit 00:02:23 - Innovation Park and Team Dynamics 00:03:57 - Daniela's Early Career and the 2001 Economic Crisis 00:08:16 - Adapting to Change and Entrepreneurial Spirit 00:13:12 - Public Perception of Aquaculture and Communication Challenges 00:19:10 - Daniela's Career Transition to Aquit 00:31:16 - Aquit's Mission: Farming Fish Without Antibiotics 00:37:31 - Innovation Challenges and Award Recognition 00:41:03 - The Science Behind Aquit's Product 00:46:24 - Expanding Technology to Other Species and AI's Role 00:49:25 - Compelling Reasons for Farmers to Adopt New Solutions 00:54:00 - The Global Issue of Antibiotic Resistance 01:05:03 - Radical Empathy: Advice for Entrepreneurs 01:06:43 - Ocean Entrepreneurs and the Impact-Profitability Challenge 01:10:37 - Being a Latin American Startup with Global Ambitions 01:21:11 - Unconscious Bias in Venture Capital Useful Links & Resources: Aquit’s website Aquit on LinkedIn  Daniela Allerbon on LinkedIn Daniela mentioned the book "Reinventing Organizations" by Frédéric Laloux

    1h 28m

  4. 10/28/2025

    #35: Adam Parker – Building an Ocean Megabrand: How to Take on the Giants in The Consumer Goods Market, with the ReFounder of OceanSaver.

    Send us a text Adam Parker is a seasoned brand leader with over 13 years of experience building consumer goods brands into household names. Currently leading Ocean Saver, a UK brand creating plastic-free, plant-based cleaning products that protect ocean life. He's passionate about scaling next-generation brands that are transforming entire categories. Prior to Ocean Saver, Adam was the first employee and Managing Director of PÄRLA, a plastic-free oral care brand that he established as the #1 challenger in the category with over 1,000 distribution points across major retailers including Boots, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose. Before his startup ventures, Adam spent six years as Brand Director of Oral-B at Procter & Gamble, managing a £500 million revenue business. Under his leadership, Oral-B achieved market share leadership and became the #1 most popular brand within P&G's entire portfolio. His notable achievements include making Oral-B the top-selling product on Amazon Prime Day for three consecutive years. Adam studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University and completed leadership training at the Institute for Young Leaders in Jerusalem. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro  00:01:10 - Meet Adam Parker: Background and Leadership Training  00:07:21 - Studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford  00:13:57 - The Journey at Procter & Gamble  00:16:14 - Learning from Brand Management at P&G  00:22:12 - The Importance of Consumer Research  00:25:49 - Transitioning to Ocean Saver  00:28:53 - The Challenges of Sustainability in Big Corporations  00:32:10 - The State of Ocean Saver Upon Joining  00:35:05 - The Role of Re-founders at Ocean Saver  00:41:14 - Creating an Ocean Megabrand  00:44:14 - Differentiating from Niche Eco-Brands  00:46:45 - The Power of the Ocean in Marketing  00:50:26 - Consumer Psychology and Purchase Decisions  00:51:23 - Making the Leap of Faith Smaller for Consumers  00:53:12 - Where to Find Ocean Saver Products and Closing Useful Links & Resources: Ocean Saver website: ocean-saver.com Ocean Saver on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube   Adam Parker on LinkedIn *** Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.co The Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Eliana Caragia manages Distribution and Engagement.  Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

    55 min

  5. 09/16/2025

    #34: Jay Dignan – Cracking the Seaweed Code: How Fucoidan Unlocks a Profitable Business Model

    Send us a text As the founder of BioMara, a marine biotech startup based in Scotland, Jay Dignan is dedicated to transforming regenerative seaweed into functional and healthy B2B ingredients for the food and wellness industries. His professional journey began in New Zealand and includes a diverse range of experiences, from deep-sea salvage and working with Tibetan yak wool to media mergers and acquisitions. Jay has over two decades of cross-disciplinary experience as a founder, CFO, and strategic consultant. His self-described "squiggly" career path was complemented by an MBA from a UK university. He is passionate about seaweed's potential to contribute to a sustainable future and help feed the world. Jay is focused on finding synergies among researchers, innovators, investors, and business leaders to help realise the promise of the seaweed industry for a healthier planet and healthier people. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro  00:01:44 - Jay's Background and “Squiggly” Career Path 00:06:50 - The Importance of Diverse Experiences 00:10:33 - The Role of an MBA in an Entrepreneur's Journey 00:14:03 - The Tibetan Yak Herder Experience 00:20:31 - The Challenges of the Western Seaweed Industry 00:24:54 - Frustrations Faced as an Ocean Entrepreneur 00:34:25 - The Founding of BioMara and Its Business Model 00:41:02 - Developing and Validating the biorefinery System 00:43:43 - Understanding BioMara's Core Products 00:46:40 - The Potential of Fucoidan in Human Health 00:54:19 - Lessons from the Ashwagandha and Manuka Honey Markets 00:58:55 - The "Health by Stealth" Approach 01:09:18 - The Process of Building a Founding Team 01:12:54 - A Call to Action for Food and Nutraceutical Companies Useful Links & Resources: Jay Dignan on LinkedIn BioMara’s website: Food & Wellness. Products: Seafibrex & Thalivra & Revyntra BioMara on Linkedin Biomara’s White Paper on Fucoidan  Scientific paper by BioMara’s team with an overview of fucoidan, its applications and extraction technique. *** Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.co The Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Eliana Caragia manages Distribution and Engagement.  Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

    1h 16m

  6. 08/12/2025

    #33: Kira Smiley – Seeing the Unseen: Ocean Tech, AI, and the Data-Driven Future of Aquaculture

    Send us a text Kira Smiley is the Global Director of Sales and Marketing at TidalX AI, a startup born from Google[x] (now X, the moonshot factory), focused on developing radical technologies to support the ocean economy while sustainably managing and protecting it. Since joining Tidal in 2020, Kira has worn several hats across business development, product, international customer operations, and program management. She served on the leadership committee for Alphabet’s Women of X organisation for several years and is a member of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture. Kira attended Stanford University and received both a B.S. in Earth Systems and an M.S. focused on sustainable global food security and the environment. She is a 2019 recipient of the DoSER Public Engagement Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Kira Smiley and TidalX Technology 00:04:19 - Importance and Environmental Impact of Tidal's Technology 00:08:49 - Health Monitoring and Sea Lice Management 00:10:23 - Tidal's Mission and Origin at X the Moonshot Factory 00:13:29 - The Origin Story of Tidal and its Partner Mowi 00:20:03 - Kira Smiley's Background and Interest in Aquaculture 00:23:13 - The Sustainability of Fish as a Protein Source 00:27:06 - The Culture of Innovation at X 00:32:49 - The Principle of "Starting with the Hardest Thing First" 00:35:10 - Transition from R&D to a Commercial Product 00:40:51 - Early Challenges and Pivots in Development 00:43:18 - Factors Leading to the Spin-off from Alphabet X 00:48:52 - Tidal's International Expansion and Strategy 00:57:10 - The Future of the Blue Economy and Investment 01:07:10 - A Call to Action for Innovators and Final Remarks Useful Links & Resources: Kira Smiley: LinkedIn TidalX AI Aqua Nor Conference, Trondheim, 18-21 August 2025 World Bank Report - Harnessing the Waters: Sustainable Aquaculture Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture Global Salmon Initiative Google X: Website *** Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.co The Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants. Eliana Caragia manages Distribution and Engagement.  Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

    1h 14m

  7. 07/08/2025

    #32: Linzi Hawkin – Impact Strategy Expert On Building Purpose-Driven Ocean Businesses That Make Real Impact And Real Money

    Send us a text Linzi Hawkin is a creative strategist passionate about protecting the ocean through the power of strategy, storytelling, and education. She is the co-founder of Protect Blue - an ocean-focused organisation built around two core pathways: a creative agency that partners with NGOs, governments, and brands to drive tangible impact, and a direct support platform for ocean advocates and activists, providing the tools, community, and resilience they need to lead lasting change. Through this dual approach, Linzi strengthens conservation efforts while nurturing a thriving network of grassroots ocean leaders - helping them stay energised, impactful, and deeply connected to nature. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age Podcast and Expert Guest 00:01:04 - Defining Impact Strategy for Purpose-Driven Businesses 00:02:40 - The Importance of Gaining Clarity on a Problem To Solve 00:07:44 - Finding Your Niche in the Ocean Space and Experimentation 00:11:42 - The Importance of Real-World Feedback and Minimum Viable Product 00:16:16 - The Challenge of Saying No to Opportunities to Maintain Focus 00:19:48 - Strategy as a Filter for Decision Making in Impact Ventures 00:20:52 - Practical Frameworks for Building an Impact Strategy  00:28:50 - How to Identify When Your Strategy is Flawed or "Off" 00:30:53 - Measuring Real Impact vs. Misleading "Vanity Metrics" 00:35:01 - Understanding and Avoiding Common Vanity Metrics 00:42:52 - Course Correction and Strategy Adjustment 00:48:50 - "Green Hushing" and Brands' Fear of Greenwashing Accusations 00:52:40 - Balancing Profit with Positive Impact for Financial Sustainability 00:57:07 - Case Study: The Innovative Seaweed Surfboard Project 01:04:17 - Challenges Faced by Ocean Activists and Entrepreneurs 01:06:58 - Advice for Young Professionals 01:13:11 - Upcoming Projects 01:20:00 - The "Stoke" Piece: Importance of Wellness and Fair Pay in Impact Work 01:23:44 - Conclusion and Where to Find More Information  Useful Links & Resources: Linzi Hawkin: Website and LinkedIn Protect.Blue: Website Wavemakers  UnderCurrent IDEO free courses Acumen Theory of Change free course The Seaweed Surfboard Project Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.co The Ocean Age podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lesha. Sarah Carpenter is our research assistant. Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

    1h 25m

  8. 06/10/2025

    #31: Olly Hicks – World Record Ocean Explorer Turned Aquaculture Entrepreneur, the Expedition Mindset Every Ocean Entrepreneur Needs to Succeed, Nutrient Credits and Securing Funding for Ocean Projects.

    Send us a text Olly Hicks is a world record-breaking British ocean explorer, motivational speaker, and ocean entrepreneur. Known for his minimalistic, human-powered expeditions, Hicks is the first and currently only person to have rowed solo from America to England, completing this feat in 2005 at the age of 23, making him the youngest person to row any ocean solo. He has spent over 2.5% of his life alone on the ocean, covering more than 7,000 miles on various expeditions since 2005. Today, Hicks is a co-founder of Algapelago, which operates as the largest UK licensed offshore kelp cultivator. This mariculture business focuses on rewilding oceans and producing sustainable agricultural products through its Blue Forest Programme, aiming to boost marine biodiversity and sequester carbon. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction to Olly: Ocean Explorer & Three-Time World Record Holder. 00:16:00 – Childhood Dreams and Early Inspirations for Ocean Rowing. 05:57:00 – The Most Significant Expedition: Solo Atlantic Crossing. 07:06:00 – Expedition Preparation. 08:04:00 – The Mental Game of Expeditions: Solitude and Adaptation. 10:26:00 – Securing Sponsorship: A Thousand Letters and Key Partnerships. 14:14:00 – Challenges of Sponsorship: Competition and Personal Interest. 16:30:00 – Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing "Blind Optimism". 19:46:00 – Learning from Failures: The Attempt to Row Around the World. 20:40:00 – Cultural Outlooks on Failure (UK vs. US) and Startup Mindset. 24:05:00 – Toughest Moments: Preparation Stress and the "Jumping Off" Transition. 27:05:00 – Expeditions as "99% a Mental Game". 28:05:00 – Cherished Moments: Awe in the Wilderness and Gaining Perspective. 30:53:00 – Balancing Risk: Evolving Perspectives with Life Stages. 33:57:00 – The Innate Human Need for Adventure: Treading New Ground. 38:42:00 – Founding Archipelago: Pioneering Offshore Mariculture. 40:46:00 – Similarities Between Leading Expeditions and Entrepreneurship. 44:42:00 – The Solitary and Uncomfortable Nature of Startup Leadership. 46:31:00 – Main Lesson for a Startup Founder: "KBO" (Keep Buggering On). 49:30:00 – The Blue Forest Programme 52:54:00 – Nutrient and Biodiversity Credits to fund ocean regeneration projects 01:05:40 – The "Secret Sauce" of the Seaweed Sector: Diversified Business Models. 01:08:56 – Connecting with Olly and Archipelago Useful Links: Olly Hicks: Website, LinkedIn, Wikipedia page. Algapelago: Website Blue Forest Programme: Website  Olly’s TEDx Talk “The benefits of risk”  Get in touch The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.co The Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojša Lešević. Sarah Carpenter is our research assistant. Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? Any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

    1h 11m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

This podcast is for ocean entrepreneurs and innovators who want to grow and succeed in the blue economy. Through interviews with industry leaders, founders, and subject matter experts, I will share their stories, unpack their most important lessons, and extract actionable insights and best practices.

Information

  • Creator
    Fed DeGobbi
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Ocean Age
  • Show Website
    The Ocean Age

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