Shenae Wales
One of the things Shenae Wales loves most about aquaculture is its enormous potential to feed the world sustainably—and Te Tauihu (Top of the South) is at the centre.
Born and raised in Whakatū Nelson, Shenae started in the industry at age 17, inspired by her love of marine biology and the ocean.
"I got in on the algae side of things, then moved into shellfish, specifically geoduck," she says. "Under the microscope, it is such a cool animal, looking around for a place to burrow."
She worked while studying, graduating with a Bachelor of Aquaculture and Marine Conservation(external link) at NMIT, and accumulated plenty of industry experience before becoming an aquaculture tutor at NMIT Te Pūkenga.
During her career, Shenae has gained experience with commercial and R&D larval runs with Pacific Oyster larvae and has done many Greenshell Mussel larval runs, when the free-swimming larvae metamorphose into a more recognisable mussel-like shape that settles onto a rope. She also runs this settlement process with her students in class.
Shenae is also completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture(external link) at NMIT.
"If you love the ocean, enjoy being outdoors, love science, or are keen on research and development—there's a role for you in aquaculture."
Shenae is also a member of Young Fish Aotearoa New Zealand(external link) —a networking group for young people (under 35) involved in the seafood industry.
At the 2023 New Zealand Aquaculture Conference, in front of 400 delegates, Shenae spoke about aquaculture training at NMIT, read more: Inspired by a love of larvae...and the ocean.(external link)
