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Aquaculture NGO expert joins Aqua-Spark fund

Aqua-Spark, an investment fund specializing in sustainable aquaculture, has hired an expert in global not-for-profit and intergovernmental aquaculture programs.

The Ultrecht, Netherlands-based global investment fund invests $295,000 to $5.9 million in small-to-medium sized sustainable aquaculture businesses around the world. It aims to create a positive social and environmental impact in the safe production of seafood and plants.

Flavio Corsin, who was previously aquaculture program director of the IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative, will now be the new director of partnership at Aqua-Spark. He will spearhead the development and execution of the investment firm’s partnership network.

Corsin has worked for more than 20 years in the field of responsible aquaculture development. He also worked as an expert for several intergovernmental organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the World Organization for Animal Health.

“Flavio Corsin has been a partner since Aqua-Spark’s early days, urging us toward more ambitious goals and helping to expand our reach,” Aqua-Spark co-founders Mike Velings and Amy Novogratz said in a joint statement. “Both his vast technical know-how and passion for optimizing the industry will be a great asset as Aqua-Spark continues to grow its portfolio and usher in change.”

The company said that Corsin will also strengthen the link between Aqua-Spark and its sector partner IDH. The two organizations co-invest in projects.

Corsin  built the the first country office for IDH in Vietnam. He founded and ran the sustainability arm of the Vietnam Association of Farmers and Fishers and work as the aquaculture advisor for World Wildlife Fund – Vietnam.