Monkeys by the Sea: Rethinking Seafood for a Better Ocean Future

In a world where our oceans are under increasing pressure, innovation in food is no

longer a luxury, but a necessity. Enter this week’s OC Spotlight Monkeys by the Sea, a

Dutch food tech company on a mission to transform how we experience seafood,

without relying on fish at all. We met with the founder, Thijs, to talk about our latest Blue Food Community member.

Who are Monkeys by the Sea and what do you do?

“Monkeys by the Sea is a forward-thinking food tech company from the Netherlands

that develops and produces alternative seafood products. Our approach is unique:

instead of replicating fish using purely land-based ingredients, we combine the best of

both worlds: nutrients from the sea and ingredients from the land.

At the core of our products is purified seawater, paired with nutrient-rich marine

ingredients like microalgae, seaweed, and algal oils. These provide the authentic taste

and nutritional profile associated with seafood. On the land side, we incorporate plant-

based proteins and fibers, often sourced locally and, where possible, through circular

systems. Think potato protein, pea protein, or even upcycled ingredients like sugar beet

fiber or brewer’s spent grain: byproducts that would otherwise go to waste.

This thoughtful ingredient strategy reflects a broader philosophy: creating food that is

not only sustainable, but also practical, scalable, and delicious.”

Where does the name “Monkeys by the Sea” come from?

“It was inspired by a scientific study conducted in the Netherlands, which found that

monkeys living near coastal areas tend to have slightly larger brains than their inland

counterparts. The reason? A more diverse diet.

These coastal monkeys consume not just land-based foods, but also seaweed,

shellfish, and even small amounts of seawater. This richer, more varied nutrient intake

sparked an idea: what if humans could benefit from a similar combination of land and

sea nutrition, without relying on traditional seafood?

“Monkeys by the Sea” became a symbol of that concept: a meaningful reflection of

dietary diversity, innovation, and the untapped potential of marine ingredients.”What problem is your solution addressing?

“The idea behind Monkeys by the Sea stems from a deep awareness of the challenges

within the global seafood industry.

After spending over a decade in seafood trade, I witnessed firsthand the immense scale

of the industry, and its shortcomings. Despite sustainability labels and growing

awareness, real impact on ocean health remained limited. Overfishing, questionable

aquaculture practices, lack of transparency, and a heavy carbon footprint all contribute

to a system under strain.

Even aquaculture, often seen as a solution, has its downsides, such as the reliance on

wild-caught fish for feed. The result is a complex, inefficient system that continues to

put pressure on marine ecosystems.

Monkeys by the Sea offers an alternative: seafood experiences without the fish. By

removing the need to extract from the ocean while still delivering on taste, texture, and

nutrition, we aim to reduce environmental impact and create a more future-proof food

system.”

How can Ocean Community help accelerate this mission?

“While the vision is clear, scaling it requires collaboration.

Monkeys by the Sea is currently active in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, with

growing traction in Germany. Our main focus has been food service, working directly

with chefs and large-scale catering operations, where there is already demand for

sustainable protein alternatives.

To expand further, we are looking for support in several key areas:

• Market access and distribution: Connections to food service distributors and

partners across Europe, especially in markets like Portugal and Sweden, can

help bring our products to new audiences.

• Strategic introductions: Links to sustainability leaders, decision-makers in

catering, and food innovators who can champion alternative seafood solutions.

• Opportunity spotting: Identifying gaps in the market, such as when competitors

exit, can create fast entry points for growth.

• Investment networks: While not actively fundraising yet, building relationships

with aligned investors will be crucial for future scaling.Ocean Community, with its network of innovators, investors, and ocean-focused

changemakers, is uniquely positioned to support this journey, by connecting the dots

and amplifying solutions that truly benefit the ocean.”

Monkeys by the Sea is more than a food company: it’s part of a broader shift toward

reimagining how we nourish ourselves without depleting the planet. By blending

science, sustainability, and creativity, they are proving that the future of seafood might

not come from the sea alone, but from how we rethink it.

We are proud to have Monkeys by the Sea in our community!