Meet Dayle Snowden

Dayle’s role as an Oyster hatchery and Nursery technician is varied. She spends 75% of her working week in the nursery doing grading, pond, and oyster spat production tasks. The other 25% is spent in the hatchery doing a variation of tasks including larval rearing, algae production, plant and systems operations, broodstock management, greenhouse algae production, and early spat rearing.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

“ My job is full of variety and different tasks throughout the working week, so this is a major reason why I enjoy my role and why I am passionate about the aquaculture industry.

Another reason is my working environment. I love nothing more than being outside working in all weather conditions, because the good days make it so worth it. I never resent how lucky I am to work outdoors in a hands on and active role. Working in the hatchery, although technically indoors, it is spacious, light, and bright so also not an unenjoyable place to be. ”

How did you come to be involved in aquaculture?

“ Finishing my schooling years with the dreaded question of “what do you want to do when you leave?” looming, I never really knew exactly what my calling was. I had a few thoughts, but nothing really stuck until I learned in my final year of college what the Aquaculture industry was. I thought it was quite fitting given I’d grown up in Tasman Bay on and around the water on my parents launch, fishing, swimming and enjoying whatever lessons the ocean had to give. ”

Why do you think WoAA is important?

“ Predominately in the past aquaculture has been a more male dominated industry. I think its awesome that there are now so many women in Aquaculture doing awesome and amazing things at the forefront of the industry. I think there is so much value in creating a network of likeminded NZ woman to form friendships and swap stories as WoAA. I hope that this initiative can shed light on what it means to be a passionate woman in the aquaculture space and maybe inspire and provide young woman with knowledge of what they can achieve in the industry. “

Do you have any advice or support for women working in or looking to work in aquaculture in Aotearoa?

“ Go for it! There are many roles within the aquaculture industry that provide you with skills and knowledge that can be transferred to all aspects of your career and life. I have found my journey within the aquaculture industry to be incredibly supportive and inclusive. I have been guided and inspired by my colleagues and managers to grow and thrive in my career. ”

What is your favourite seafood?

“ Nothing beats fresh blue cod or Gurnard for home made fish and chips with salad. ”

What do you like to do in your spare time?

“ I am an avid horse rider; I own two horses of my own and they take up a lot of my time but when I’m not with the horses I enjoy anything that means I am outside, walking, tramping, camping, swimming, riding my dirt bike, biking, hunting, and fishing. ”