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About us

Why are we doing this? Who are we and where are we? You can find it all here. 

Why We Do What We Do

At the Aquaculture Learning Lab, we believe knowledge is the key to unlocking the potential of one of the world’s fastest-growing and most sustainable industries. From coastal farms to classrooms, from bustling cities to remote fishing communities — we bring training to you, wherever you are, in the way that works best for you.

Whether it’s a short, engaging micro-course or a fully customized training program, our mission is the same: to help people and organizations succeed while supporting a healthy, sustainable future for our oceans.

Our goals

1. Support

We help individuals, teams, and communities reach their goals with practical, high-quality training that strengthens the global aquaculture workforce.

2. Inspire

We showcase the opportunities and rewards of aquaculture, encouraging more people to join this extraordinary industry and helping those already in it to achieve their full potential.

3. Innovate

We connect learners with the skills and insights needed to embrace new technology, improve practices, and drive fresh thinking in aquaculture.
Denise Hearn
Simon Schmidt
Who are we?

Denise Hearn - Founder & Aquaculture Eductaor

Denise grew up across the globe but completed her academic studies in the UK, earning a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and an MSc in Sustainable Aquaculture. At 18, she helped establish a marine reserve in Madagascar — sparking a passion for marine conservation and a deep concern over overfishing.
Recognizing aquaculture as part of the solution, she went on to work internationally with a variety of species. Today, she’s a dedicated teacher and trainer, committed to equipping others with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact.

Find out more about Denise through these links:

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Simon Schmidt - Co- Founder, managing Director and tech lead.

Simon combines expertise in teaching with advanced technical skills to create engaging and effective learning experiences. Having developed numerous online aquaculture courses in New Zealand and beyond, he specialises in making training accessible, interactive, and flexible — for learners anywhere in the world.

Learn more about Simon here:

Learn more about Simon here:
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Let’s Talk

Whether you’re unsure which course to start with, curious about our bespoke training solutions, or simply want to explore how we can help your organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
Leave your email or send us a message, and we’ll get back to you.
Thank you!
Contact us

Where to find us

01

Address

Nelson, New Zealand
02

Email

Denise@aquaculturelearninglab.com
Simon@aquaculturelearninglab.com
03

Phone

+64 225870887
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