Seatopia was created to change the way we source, eat, and think about seafood—from something that harms the ocean to something that helps heal it.

The company connects health and earth conscious consumers with clean, lab-tested seafood from regenerative aquaculture farms around the world.

It’s a model rooted in transparency, environmental restoration, and nutrient-rich food that supports both human and planetary wellbeing. And their mission doesn’t stop at sourcing—Seatopia is also planting kelp through their partnership with Ecodrive.

We spoke with co-founder James Arthur Smith to learn more about the regenerative aquaculture movement, how Seatopia’s values shape every business decision, and why kelp planting is such a powerful next step in their commitment to ocean health.

‍

‍

Hi James, could you give us a quick intro to Seatopia and how it all started?‍

Seatopia was born out of a desire to transform how we source and consume seafood. We saw a disconnect between health-conscious consumers and the seafood industry’s opaque, often harmful practices.

Seatopia connects people to clean, lab-tested seafood sourced directly and exclusively from a new wave of aquaculture farms pioneering regenerative practices. While not every farm is fully regenerative on its own, each contributes to a broader supply chain designed to restore ocean health.

These farms use scalable systems with species-appropriate, nutrient-dense feeds and integrated, polyculture models that promote biodiversity and environmental resilience.

By choosing Seatopia, consumers are helping accelerate the shift toward a truly regenerative seafood system—one that nourishes people and the planet.

‍

What exactly is regenerative aquaculture, and how is it different from conventional seafood farming?‍

Think of regenerative aquaculture as the marine version of regenerative agriculture. It goes beyond sustainability—aiming to have a net positive impact on the environment. For example, bivalves like scallops filter water, reduce ocean acidification, and create thriving underwater ecosystems.

We prioritize polyculture systems that mimic natural biodiversity instead of the typical monoculture model. It’s seafood farming designed to give back to the ocean.

‍

How has the industry responded to this regenerative model?‍

We’re seeing growing interest, but the shift isn’t easy.

Most farmed seafood doesn’t meet our criteria—it’s often raised with unsustainable feed and limited transparency. There’s also a lot of inertia in the supply chain. Upfront costs are higher, and traceability remains a major challenge. That’s why we insist on third-party lab testing and open data sharing.

It’s a slower path, but a necessary one.

‍

‍

Why did Seatopia choose to partner with Ecodrive—and why kelp?‍

Kelp is a powerhouse for ocean health. It sequesters carbon, supports marine biodiversity, and provides habitat for species like wild salmon.

When we looked for a partner to amplify that impact, Ecodrive stood out.

The integration with our e-commerce was seamless, and just as importantly, the impact is verified and trackable. That transparency was a non-negotiable for us.

‍

You recently reached 20,000 kelp planted through funding from Seatopia orders which is amazing! How have your customers responded to the partnership? ‍

Our community is deeply impact-driven. They don’t want vague sustainability buzzwords, they want actual proof.

Whether it’s lab results showing low mercury levels or detailed reporting on kelp planted, it all builds trust.

Ecodrive’s approach aligned perfectly with that.

We took our time to gather enough data and visuals before publicly launching the initiative, because we wanted every claim to be verified and clear.

‍

‍

You’re clearly passionate about integrity in sustainability. What advice would you give to other founders navigating this space?‍

Stay committed to your values—even if it slows you down.

For instance, we’ve made the intentional decision not to sell certain popular species like tuna because they don’t meet our standards. That can be a hard call when you're growing, but long-term trust matters more.

Also, seek out partners—like Ecodrive—who match your values but also make implementation easy and scalable.

‍

How do you live out your sustainability mission personally?‍

It starts at home. I’m raising my kids to stay connected to nature—through composting, growing food, and making conscious choices.

I believe that restoring our relationship with the natural world is essential to making any kind of broader cultural shift toward sustainability.

‍

‍

What Seatopia products do you recommend for someone just getting started?‍

Our steelhead trout, raised on microalgae and insect protein, is a great entry point—it’s rich in omega-3s and a true reflection of what regenerative aquaculture can be.

We also love offering one-on-one chef lessons to help people build confidence in the kitchen and understand where their food comes from.

‍

What are you focused on next as a business?‍

We’re building deeper partnerships with chefs and health platforms to help track the health outcomes of our food—lower mercury, higher omega-3s, better wellness.

The goal is to create a feedback loop where what’s better for the ocean is also better for people.

‍

Any final thoughts on the partnership with Ecodrive?

Working with Ecodrive is a meaningful extension of our mission. The kelp planting work strengthens marine ecosystems while giving our customers a tangible way to participate in healing the ocean.

Ecodrive’s ease of use and verified tracking made it possible for us to act quickly while still upholding our standards of transparency and impact, and we're looking forward to growing the partnership further.

‍

Thanks for your time James!

‍

---

‍

Seatopia is a brand reimagining seafood as a force for regeneration—of our oceans, our health, and our food systems.

Through radical transparency, regenerative sourcing, and a partnership with Ecodrive to plant kelp and restore marine ecosystems, they’re showing that sustainability and business growth can go hand in hand.

Explore their latest offerings of clean, planet-positive seafood here.

Want to turn your business mission into positive impact on our planet? Get in touch below to learn how Ecodrive can help.

‍