Meet Denise Hearn

Denise runs the aquaculture and marine conservation department at NMIT / Te Pukenga. She is also an academic staff member teaching classes. Her days are very varied, at her desk one minute, then helping down in the lab the next. Their courses are really practical and hands on so there is lots of time in the field, in the lab, working on systems or looking after animals. She is also involved in the development of new courses, running the day to day operations of the department, managing the team and liaising with industry.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

“ I really enjoy working with students. Its so exciting and rewarding sharing my passion for the marine environment and aquaculture with them. I love seeing a class room light up with questions and interest in the topic I’m teaching and it’s the best feeling when students get great jobs in the industry that they really enjoy.

I also really like engaging with industry and helping progress the sector where ever I can. It’s great connecting students and student projects directly with our partners in industry and helping to foster those relationships. I am lucky to have an amazing team who are so talented and passionate. It’s a real pleasure working with them. Finally - although its not without its frustrations - I really enjoy the progression and forward thinking change that we are able to undertake in our area. ”

How did you come to be involved in aquaculture?

“ When I was studying marine science at University I found myself feeling really helpless about the status of our oceans. I was especially frustrated about over fishing. I started trying to understand what could be done to help with the problems. After helping to set up a marine reserve in Madagascar I had experienced some of the frustrations of working in conservation. I felt that helping to shape the fast moving industry of aquaculture would illicit more fruitful change. When I started learning more about it I was hooked (haha) almost immediately. I loved the biological and environmental challenges as well as the engineering aspects, I enjoyed the problem solving and the pioneer feel of doing something for the first time. I really felt that the work I was doing could make meaningful change. So after working in Thailand developing sustainable feeds for shrimp I started a Masters in sustainable aquaculture. This then lead me on the rest of my journey in aquaculture. I’ve now happily been involved with aquaculture for nearly 20 years. ”

Why do you think WoAA is important?

“ In the western world Aquaculture is a male dominated industry, however in many other parts of the world women play a pivotal role e.g. in areas like seaweed farming. I think its important it’s not seen as a ‘mans job’. Aquaculture is so varied, with so many opportunities and avenues. To work in aquaculture you could be feeding crocodiles at a crocodile farm, snorkeling on a coral farm, in a lab looking through a microscope, or sitting at a desk in a highrise building selling seafood products or designing marketing material. It’s important to have organisations like WoAA to open up avenues for networking, to help showcase an open door to women joining this sector and to support each other through the challenges of working in a male dominated workforce. ”

What is something you are passionate about?

“ I am passionate about the ocean. I have loved being in and around the water my whole life. I am also passionate about my family and my kids future. I hope that they will have many of the opportunities that have been open for me. My concern for the state of the planet leads me to be more passionate about these things and I hope that I can play a small part in making things better.

Side note – I am also passionate about lunch – pretty much every day! ”

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

“ I would start by trying to learn as much as you can, even if it’s just online – start reading, watching, listening – the info is out there. In such a diverse industry it’s a great idea to try out lots of things, don’t get stuck in one sector. E.g. if you can farm one species, you will have the basic knowledge required to farm almost anything else. Don’t get stuck in a rut, keep exploring, learning and discovering. There is so much out there. Once you find something you really want to be a part of don’t be too proud to work for free. More than once I worked in the evenings as a waitress while that supported me in the day time so I could go and work at an aquaculture job for free for a few hours. Every time, after only a short time, I got offered the paid job I wanted. ”

What is your favourite seafood?

“ Grouper, raw sashimi, and / or prawns. ”

What do you like to do in your spare time?

“ These days my spare time is mostly taken up by looking after my 2 tiny humans. They keep us pretty busy. We also have a lovely dog (named after a crab), a Collie cross who helps get us out of the house. You’ll find us at the beach mostly or out by the river.

I also enjoy windsurfing, spearfishing, sailing, diving, paddleboarding, surfing, and mountain biking. My husband and I bought a boat in the Caribbean a few years ago and sailed it back to New Zealand. Sailing across oceans was a great use of spare time haha. ”

Is there anything else you would like to say or share?

“ Great to see that you are here reading and learning about those of us in WoAA – please reach out and connect if there is anything that I can do to help you on your aquaculture journey or if you’d just like to chat / have lunch 😊 “

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with Denise, feel free to email us at woaaotearoa@gmail.com