Leonardo DiCaprio part of $3m Series A backing ‘sustainable’ fish

Aqua-Spark, an investment fund focused exclusively on sustainable aquaculture, led the previously announced funding round with a $2.5m investment.

LoveTheWild, a seller of farm-raised frozen seafood, announced last week that actor Leonardo DiCaprio was part of its $3 million Series A funding round and has joined the company’s advisory board.

Aqua-Spark, an investment fund focused exclusively on sustainable aquaculture, led the previously announced funding round with a $2.5 million investment, marking its first consumer-focused investment.  

A LoveTheWild spokesperson declined to specify the amount the actor contributed to the $500,000 difference, but the original February announcement named “existing angel investors” as part of the deal.

Aqua-Spark stated at the time that it intends to work closely with LoveTheWild to “strengthen the criteria and systems through which the brand selects and monitors fish farms, thereby ensuring the most sustainable seafood possible.”

DiCaprio, whose eponymous environmental foundation advocates marine conservation among other causes, noted in a statement that while “seafood is a primary source of protein for nearly a billion people… climate change, acidification and overfishing are putting increased pressure on our oceans’ natural stability.”

“LoveTheWild’s approach to sustainable, responsible aquaculture is promoting the development of a secure and environmentally-conscious solution to feeding our planet’s growing population,” he said.

LoveTheWild’s gourmet, frozen seafood products use “traceable, farm-raised fish sourced from the most well-managed aquaculture facilities in the world,” according to the announcement. Its seafood kits contain freshly frozen pure fish fillets paired with sauces.

Aqua-Spark invests in small-to-medium enterprises focused on sustainable
aquaculture.