James Arthur Smith | The Art of Regenerative Aquaculture with the Founder of Seatopia

James Arthur Smith is the co-founder of Seatopia, focusing on regenerative aquaculture and mercury-safe seafood. Born in San Pedro, California, he spent nearly a decade living on a sailboat in Baja Mexico, deepening his commitment to ocean conservation. Smith's early life included becoming the youngest junior lifeguard to swim the La Jolla open ocean challenge and volunteering at the Chula Vista Marine Science Discovery Center.   In the last eight years, he linked boutique aquaculture with top restaurants, developing a trusted seafood distribution in Southern California. The pivot to direct-to-consumer during the COVID-19 crisis led to plastic-free seafood boxes, with rigorous testing for contaminants. Seatopia aims to educate consumers on sustainable seafood, promoting a traceable, gourmet seafood supply that supports ocean health. His work has been recognized in Forbes, emphasizing his market-driven approach to regenerative aquaculture.   Website: https://seatopia.fish/   Work With Me: Mineral Balancing HTMA Consultation: https://www.integrativethoughts.com/category/all-products  My Instagram: @integrativematt My Website: Integrativethoughts.com   Advertisements:   Viva Rays: Use Code ITP for a Discount https://vivarays.com/   Zeolite Labs Zeocharge: Use Code ITP for 10% off https://www.zeolitelabs.com/product-page/zeocharge?ref=ITP Magnesium Breakthrough: Use Code integrativethoughts10 for 10% OFF https://bioptimizers.com/shop/products/magnesium-breakthrough Just Thrive: Use Code ITP15 for 15% off https://justthrivehealth.com/discount/ITP15 Therasage: Use Code Coffman10 for 10% off https://www.therasage.com/discount/COFFMAN10?rfsn=6763480.4aed7f&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6763480.4aed7f   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Seafood Passion 06:03 Domestication and Intelligence of Aquatic Animals 12:01 The Journey to Cetopia and Regenerative Aquaculture 24:04 Mercury, Microplastics, and Health Concerns in Seafood 33:11 The Future of Sustainable Seafood and Farming Practices 43:12 The Impact of Cooking Oils on Snacking Habits 49:01 The Connection Between Seafood and Brain Health 53:59 The Benefits of Flash Freezing Seafood 01:04:53 Symbiotic Relationships in Aquaculture 01:09:46 Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity 01:14:54 The Future of Regenerative Practices   Takeaways: James grew up fishing and has a deep connection to the ocean. SeaWorld has both positive and negative impacts on marine life awareness. Dolphins in captivity have been documented to commit suicide. Fish possess a high level of intelligence and emotional complexity. Regenerative aquaculture can provide sustainable seafood options. Wild-caught seafood faces challenges like overfishing and mercury contamination. Mercury levels in the ocean have increased significantly since the industrial revolution. Microplastics are now found in even the most pristine waters. Aquaculture can be done sustainably by controlling feed and environment. The future of food production must shift towards regenerative practices. Cooking oils can influence how much we snack. Seafood is crucial for our genetic makeup. EPA and DHA are essential for human evolution. Eating seafood connects us to our ancestors. Industrial practices affect the nutritional quality of fish. Raw fish is more bioavailable than supplements. Flash freezing preserves seafood quality. Regenerative aquaculture promotes biodiversity. Healthy ecosystems attract wildlife. We must respect and learn from nature.   Summary: In this conversation, Matthew Coffman and James Arthur explore the intricate world of seafood, diving into James's personal journey from childhood experiences with marine life to his current work in aquaculture. They discuss the impact of captivity on marine mammals, the intelligence of fish, and the evolution of aquaculture practices. The conversation also addresses the challenges of wild-caught seafood, including overfishing, mercury contamination, a