Center for Aquaculture Technologies

Name

Center for Aquaculture Technologies

Website

https://aquatechcenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquaculture Biotechnology

NAICS

Animal Production and Aquaculture (112), Aquaculture (11251)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Cloning & Advanced Reproductive Technologies Services (AFAEAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Genomic Testing & Genetic Evaluation Services (AFAEAJAC), Aquaculture Breeding & Genetics Services (e.g., broodstock improvement) (AFAEAJAN), Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services (AFAEAAAK)

Keywords

• Aquaculture biotechnology
• Genetic engineering services
• Finfish genome editing
• Marine breeding research
• Aquaculture R&D services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Core offering

Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) is an aquaculture-focused research and development company that applies modern genetic improvement technologies to the aquaculture sector. The company specializes in genome editing solutions for sterility induction in finfish and Morpholino-based gene silencing for genetic improvement research. CAT partners with industry clients and academic institutions to develop, validate, and license genetic technologies that support sustainable aquaculture production.

Product overview

Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) offers genetic technologies for aquaculture, including genome editing solutions for sterility and Morpholinos-based gene silencing technologies for inducing sterility in finfish species. The company operates through research partnerships with universities and other organizations for product development and testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Genome Editing for Sterility in Finfish A specialized R&D service applying proprietary genome editing technologies to induce sterility in finfish species, supporting breeding program containment, regulatory compliance, and genetic control in commercial aquaculture operations.
• Morpholino-based Gene Silencing Technology Proprietary Morpholino-based gene silencing offering used for functional genomics research and genetic improvement in aquaculture species, made available through licensing arrangements and collaborative research partnerships.
• Genetic Improvement Research Services Broader contract R&D services that apply CAT's genetic improvement technologies, including genome editing and Morpholino-based tools, to aquaculture challenges for industry clients, breeding programs, and academic collaborators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Targeting 100% sterility rates in Atlantic salmon

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2025Exclusive licensing agreement covering two patents for inducing sterility in finfish using Morpholinos technology that silences genes critical for germ cell development. The partnership includes a sponsored research agreement aimed at achieving 100% sterility rates in Atlantic salmon with potential applications across all finfish species.
• LanzaTechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partnership for testing and prototyping fish feed applications using LanzaTech Nutritional Protein (LNP), a bacterial protein product derived from CO2 and hydrogen. CAT is collaborating on development of sustainable aquaculture feed ingredients.

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Veramaris: Veramaris produces sustainable algal oil for aquaculture feed, addressing the same sustainability-driven feed reformulation theme as CAT's LanzaTech partnership. It is adjacent/thematic rather than directly competitive.
• Cargill Aqua Nutrition: Cargill's aqua nutrition business supplies feed and feed-related services to aquaculture producers globally, including salmon. It is an adjacent ecosystem participant — overlapping customer base but not competing in genetics/sterility R&D.

Direct peers

• AquaBounty Technologies: AquaBounty develops genetically modified Atlantic salmon with a focus on sterility and growth traits. It is the most direct peer to CAT because both are aquaculture-biotech companies commercializing genetic technologies (sterility/transgenic traits) targeting the salmon industry.
• Benchmark Genetics: Benchmark's breeding and genetics division provides selective breeding programs and genetic services for salmon and other aquaculture species. It is a direct competitor in aquaculture genetic improvement, the same category CAT addresses via sterility and genome editing.
• Salmobreed: Salmobreed is a salmon breeding company focused on genetic improvement of Atlantic salmon for the aquaculture industry. It is a direct peer in salmon genetics and a relevant comparable for CAT's salmon-focused sterility work.
• Xelect: Xelect offers genetic selection, genotyping, and breeding program services to the aquaculture industry, particularly salmon and other finfish. It is a direct peer as a service-oriented aquaculture genetics R&D provider competing for similar customers.

Broad incumbents

• Akva Group: Akva Group supplies equipment and technology to the global aquaculture industry, including salmon farming infrastructure. It is a broad incumbent whose customer base overlaps with CAT's potential customers in commercial salmon production.
• Innovasea: Innovasea provides aquaculture technology solutions spanning fish farming hardware, monitoring, and genetic services. It is a broad incumbent in aquaculture tech with partial overlap to CAT through genetic and breeding services.
• Hendrix Genetics: Hendrix Genetics is a major multi-species animal breeding company with an aquaculture division covering salmon, shrimp, and trout. It is a broad incumbent — overlapping in aquaculture genetics but operating across many species and geographies.

Emerging players

• STINE AQUA: STINE AQUA develops aquaculture genetic technologies, including sterility and genome-editing approaches for fish. It is an emerging peer with overlapping gene-silencing/sterility ambitions, making it a credible comparable despite being smaller and earlier-stage than CAT.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Aquaculture Technologies