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Oceano Fresco, a Portuguese sustainable seafood innovator, has recently secured €17 million in funding. The company specializes in the sustainable aquaculture of high-value bivalves, focusing on European clams.
The funding round, spearheaded by Indico Capital Partners, saw contributions from prominent backers, including BlueCrow, Aqua-Spark, and FdCR, managed by Banco Português de Fomento.
Renowned for its pioneering approach to large-scale clam cultivation, Oceano Fresco distinguishes itself by eschewing conventional farming practices. They refrain from using artificial feed or antibiotics, and their operations produce minimal farm residues. Instead, they champion sustainability by harnessing clam shells' natural CO2 capture properties and fostering biodiversity within their expansive open-sea farms.
At the heart of their operation lies the Oceano Fresco Biomarine Center in Nazaré, Portugal. This state-of-the-art facility is the cradle for two native bivalve species, V. corrugata, and R. decussatus. These species are meticulously bred before being transferred to the world's first open-sea clam farm off the coast of Lagos, Algarve.
In the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, Oceano Fresco employs innovative protection measures such as vertical lanterns along extended longlines. These clams thrive under optimal conditions — mild temperatures, a plentiful supply of natural microalgae, and continuous water renewal — ensuring their growth into premium-quality, open-sea clams.
Bernardo Carvalho, CEO at Oceano, added: "For Oceano Fresco, having knowledgeable partners who share our values and vision is at least as important as raising money per se. With this in mind, we very gladly welcome Indico Capital Partners and Banco Português de Fomento to this adventure, just like we welcome AquaSpark's and BlueCrow's renewed support as we continue on our path to become the world leaders in regenerative bivalve aquaculture."
Stephan de Moraes, Managing General Partner at Indico Capital Partners, commented:
"We are thrilled with being part of Oceano Fresco vision of creating a new sustainable aquaculture vertical that will add to the global protein increasing demand. The demand for clams specifically far outstrips current supply, and growing them sustainably and systematically makes sense at all levels."
Ana Carvalho, CEO of Banco Português de Fomento, said:
"This is the Fund's first investment in the Blue economy, which we believe could start a cycle of BPF support for this priority sector of the national economy."
The funding will support Oceano Fresco's sales operations and the expansion of its production capacity.
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