Why We Do It
What’s in a name? The word ‘HOLDFAST’ refers to the structure that anchors seaweed to its substrate. Incredibly strong, these structures help the seaweed weather even the harshest of environmental conditions. Like nature’s holdfast, we hold tight to our environmental roots and core values. We believe that feeding people nutritious food should not come at a cost to the environment.
Shellfish provide essential macro and micro nutrients, vitamins, fatty acids and minerals necessary for a healthy diet, and growing them actually breaths life back into the ocean. Without the need for freshwater, land, fertilizer or other chemicals, shellfish offer one of the most sustainable sources of protein on this planet.
We exist to provide resources to strengthen and expand the sustainable aquaculture industry in California and broader United States.
Meet the Team
Diane Kim, PH.D.
I’m a biological oceanographer and marine microbial ecologist by training, turned kelp biologist by way of a Department of Energy project I began working on in 2017 to explore kelp as a potential biofuel source (you can learn more about the project on NPR’s All Things Considered). I earned my Ph.D. from the Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography department at USC in 2013 and have over 10 years of oceanographic and microbiological research experience that I bring to the HoldFast team. My growing interest in sustainable and regenerative food systems began in 2014 with research, education and outreach efforts using aquaponics (a system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics). And now, I’m excited to combine my love for ocean science with sustainable food production through the work we do at HoldFast. Oh, it also helps that I love to eat shellfish and seaweed! Email: diane@holdfastAQ.com or holdfastAQ@gmail.com.
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kelly Stromberg
I am interested in how we can use science to inform sustainable seafood production, and am an all around marine biology nerd who simply wants to know how marine organisms work! During my Ph.D. I built an experimental shellfish hatchery on Catalina, developed a “mock commercial long line”, organized industry:academia conferences, and worked closely with seafood companies to understand how to implement scientific results in industry. Now at HoldFast Aquaculture I apply high level science (genomics, breeding, and hatchery production) to develop sustainable seafood products for the region. Email: nathan@holdfastAQ.com.
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Nathan Churches
Since my college internship at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute working with oyster farms around Cape Cod, I became fascinated with sustainable aquaculture. Over the last 9 years in the industry, I’ve worked with numerous species of shellfish (from spawn to grow-out) and finfish, including work to start and install the first aquaculture facility in U.S. Federal waters off the coast of California. I’ve worked with industry partners including seed producers and equipment manufacturers as well as academic collaborators on federally funded grants to advance the field of sustainable aquaculture. Now with HoldFast Aquaculture, I look forward to apply both science and industry skill sets to grow amazing sustainable seafood! Email: kelly@holdfastAQ.com.
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER
Ian Jacobson
My life has always been tied to the ocean. Born and raised in San Pedro California, I started giving tours at the local tidepools before I was old enough to become a docent at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium every summer growing up. While pursuing a degree in Marine Biology, I worked at the Santa Barbara Fish Market doing everything from retail to wholesale distribution. In Santa Cruz, I became a Divemaster, AAUS Scientific diver, and earned a B.S. in Marine Biology in 2012. After graduating, I worked as a Fisheries Observer in the Bering Sea and as a Scientific Aid for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Recreational Fisheries Survey program, before working for Los Angeles Waterkeeper leading teams of divers to restore over 3 acres of Kelp Forest along the Palos Verdes Peninsula. I began pursuing a career in aquaculture in 2017 starting as a deckhand and R&D hatchery technician for an offshore aquaculture farm and have since gone on to build multiple large-scale aquaculture systems. In 2021, I designed, built and currently manage Holdfast's new facility at AltaSea. Email: ian@holdfastAQ.com.
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER