Carla Vaccari: Revolutionizing Latin America's Seafood Industry with Sustainability & Purpose

No longer driven merely by volume and exports, Latin America’s seafood industry is moving into a new era defined by sustainability and social responsibility. At the forefront of this transformation stands Carla Vaccari, CEO of Mangiare Seafood SAC, whose professional journey merges generational legacy with modern leadership rooted in empathy.

Raised in the coastal fishing community of Peru, Carla’s connection with the sea begun during her childhood, accompanying her father who’s a pioneer in the regional fishing industry, to the ports. This early exposure evolved into a lifelong commitment, not just to seafood, but to shaping a business that respects both people and the planet. Carla pursued a law degree, melding regulatory competence with empirical market insight, a dual vision that now defines her leadership.

As Mangiare Seafood’s founder and CEO, Carla has built a boutique seafood company that prioritizes premium and worthy products personalised for global clients. Yet, what makes her business unique is its purpose. Based in Negritos’ underdeveloped town, Mangiare Seafood provides stable employment, specifically for women and fosters community upliftment. Carla sees every worker as part of an extended family, valuing their growth as much as the company’s.

Emphasizing on sustainability, Mangiare Seafood’s operations put emphasis on minimizing marine impact by processing locally, innovating responsibly, and promoting biodiversity. Through this model, Carla is not only redefining success in the seafood sector, but also challenging gender norms in a traditionally male-dominated space.

In a conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review, Carla Vaccari reflects on her inspiring journey of blending tradition and transformation with an intent towards building a seafood business rooted in values, vision and the empowerment of women in coastal Peru.

What shaped your journey into seafood and what uniquely aspects do you bring as a leader?

I grew up in the seafood industry since my father was a pioneer in our region’s fishing sector. From an early age, I accompanied him to the ports, absorbing the stories and rhythms of life at sea. These experiences sparked a lasting passion for work. While already working in the industry, I pursued a law degree, learning to balance both paths with discipline and resilience. Eventually, I combined these strengths to build a business grounded in integrity, sustainability, and social purpose.

My inspiration stems from my family’s deep connection to the sea and my own upbringing within the fishing community. What sets me apart as a leader is my dual perspective, which includes a hands-on experience in seafood and a formal legal background. This enables me to guide the company with both operational and regulatory insight, ensuring ethical, sustainable practices and a people-centered vision for the future.

We are women, smart and capable, and we are here to do things just as well as or even better than anyone else

Introduce Mangiare Seafood. As the CEO, how do you lead Mangiare Seafood toward sustainability and resilient growth?

Mangiare Seafood is a boutique seafood production company specializing in high-value, uniquely developed products. We focus on quality, innovation, and personalized service for our international clients. As CEO, I lead strategic growth with an emphasis on sustainable production, empowering women, creating dignified jobs in our hometown of Negritos, and building long-term client relationships based on trust, excellence, and shared values.

Mangiare Seafood is guided by four core principles, namely sustainability, integrity, innovation, and community empowerment. We respect the ocean as our most valuable resource, and all production practices aim to minimize environmental impact. We innovate to meet changing market demands, ensuring our products align with global standards for quality and responsibility. Our commitment to environmental stewardship, ethical business, and people-first strategies ensures resilience and adaptability.

How have your efforts at Mangiare Seafood impacted the industry? And what key milestones have shaped your leadership?

Through Mangiare Seafood, we demonstrate that it's possible to build a successful seafood business while prioritizing social impact and environmental sustainability. Our model shows that investing in people, especially empowering women and communities like Negritos, and committing to responsible practices can drive growth and long-term value. Regionally, we are helping to shift perceptions about the future of seafood production toward a model that is more inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven.

Some key milestones include creating stable, dignified jobs in my hometown, integrating more women into a traditionally male-dominated industry, and building a company respected for its products and values. Throughout my journey, I’ve been guided by integrity, empathy, perseverance, responsibility, and a commitment to doing business that respects both people and nature.

I’m very connected to my team. Leading this great group of people who trust me and feel like family is the most important part of being with Mangiare Seafood. I know I can trust my team to handle things even if I'm not there every day. I believe leading by example is key, and the energy exchanged with my team is empowering. I trust them completely, and it’s a powerful dynamic.

What is the future of the seafood industry in Latin America and which trends or innovations will shape it?

I see a future where sustainability, traceability, and technological innovation will become non-negotiable standards. Latin America has tremendous potential to lead in producing high-quality, responsibly sourced seafood. Innovations such as eco-certification, digitalized supply chains, biotechnology in aquaculture, and consumer demand for transparency will transform the sector. Companies that integrate community development, environmental stewardship, and smart technologies into their operations will be the ones shaping the future of seafood in our region.

Latin America has a strong position in the seafood industry. Despite the challenges with tariffs, such as the 10 percent tariff on Peru, Latin America is becoming a more attractive option for customers. Compared to China's 30 percent tariff, Latin America's offering is more competitive. This shift is opening new business opportunities, particularly for Peruvian food, which is gaining popularity.

Now, more customers are turning to Latin America, which is a positive change. However, with increased demand, it's crucial to manage growth carefully. I want to maintain the spirit of Mangiare Seafood, ensuring we don’t prioritize profit over sustainability and responsible practices. As demand grows, the key is to stay consistent with our values and deliver the same quality, even if that means more efficient production rather than scaling excessively.

Carla Vaccari, CEO, Mangiare Seafood SAC

Carla Vaccari is the CEO of Mangiare Seafood SAC with an educational background in Law. Later, she entered the field of seafood. She has also served in Industrias Pesqueras Frida Sophia as the organization manager for more than five years. Considering her academics, she has studied in University of Salamanca and University of San Martín de Porres.

Educational Qualification: Lawyer (Law Degree) – specialized in commercial law and corporate responsi­bility.

Business Role Model: I deeply admire leaders who balance business success with social impact. One such leader is Kristine Tompkins, Conservationist and Former CEO of Patagonia. She believes businesses should serve nature and communities, not just profit.