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

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

Update: 2025-12-09
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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. 

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

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

Fed DeGobbi