Thanks to professors and researchers, modern aquaculture, with farming of salmon, where born some 40 years ago, continued professor Reve switching to a slide showing billionaire John Fredriksen, owner of aquaculture giant Marine Harvest:
– He has become so rich that he can’t afford to live at home, said Reve. The ex-Norwegian Fredriksen is a citizen of Cyprus.
Fredriksen’s investments in oil tankers and aquaculture have made him one of the richest persons in the world. His fortune as a successful aquaculture investor certainly inspires other players in the finance world to look closely at potential marine “rockets” in the stock market.
In USA, as well as in Europe and in Asia investors are look- ing for marine cases. Finance bankers and fund managers fol- low suit. New, more specialized marine funds for private equity investors seems to be a new trend in the finance sector.
In august 2014 Dr Francisco Saraiva Gomes became Chief Executive Officer in an investment fund with marine ambitions. In august 2014 Dr Francisco Saraiva Gomes became Chief Executive Officer in one of the recent investment funds with marine ambitions. The New York-based Pontos Aqua Holding, formed in May 2014, shall make and manage investments in the global aquaculture and seafood industry with an initial equity commitment of USD 75 million.
Prior to joining Pontos Aqua, Dr Saraiva Gomes led the aquaculture business at Novus International Inc, and he sits on the Board of Directors of the World Aquaculture Society.
– I am enthusiastic. Pontos Aqua is in a unique position to contribute to the growth promise of the industry, said Saraiva Gomes. Pontos Aqua is part of Tinicum Incorporated, an SEC-registered investment adviser based in New York City with over US$2.5 billion in assets under management.
-Aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry with exciting global investment opportunities. We are thrilled to collaborate with such an experienced and well-regarded industry executive as Dr Saraiva Gomes, said Richard Dosik, a principal at Tinicum.
– Pontos Aqua intends to invest in businesses that provide real and sustainable value within the aquaculture and seafood supply chain, businesses that can be enhanced by its operational, strategic and financial support. Pontos Aqua is seeking investment opportunities in the range of US$5 million to US$75 million. According to Dr Saraiva Gomes the fund will invest in high quality businesses throughout the global value chain.
– Raw materials, equipment and services, animal health, feeds and selected aspects of farming are some of the segments where we believe we can help unlock operational value, he said.
Sources in the finance and marine sector signals more initiatives to channel private investment into the segment of new, growing bio-marine and aquaculture companies.