James Mcilraith
“If you’re passionate about science and the environment, this is a fantastic field to pursue”
Research Aquaculture Technician Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science, Lincoln University
Jimmy McIlraith never imagined a holiday job pulling mussel ropes would lead to a career at the forefront of aquaculture, developing new techniques and systems for spat production.
While studying for a Bachelor of Science at Lincoln University, Jimmy managed to snag a summer job at Sanford’s Havelock yard, pulling mussel ropes. It was physically demanding work, but it paid well, and he enjoyed being outside and part of a team.
It was during one of those stints that he attended Sanford’s ‘team day,’ an event bringing together staff from across the company. There, Andy Day from SPATnz, gave a presentation on mussel spat production and the science behind it. That moment sparked something for Jimmy, opening his eyes to the possibilities of a career in aquaculture.
Jimmy recalls thinking, “Wow, I want to be part of that,” which led him to change his major from Food science to environmental science, aligning his studies with his growing interest in the aquaculture industry.
After graduating, a Nursery Technician role opened up at SPATnz. With five years of hands-on experience at Sanford and a relevant degree, Jimmy was a strong candidate and landed the role. He spent a year in the nursery, gaining a solid foundation in hatchery operations before moving into SPATnz’s research and development team.
Now two and a half years into his role as a Aquaculture Research Technician, Jimmy is focused towards continuous improvement in a production setting, including developing new methods and systems to improve spat production.
“Eight years ago, people said this wasn’t possible. Now, we’re pumping millions of mussels out the door every year, and they’re growing faster and stronger than ever. Being part of that progress is a huge achievement,” he says.
Looking ahead, Jimmy is keen to grow with SPATnz, whether that means stepping into a leadership role or expanding research into wild spat and farm performance.
His advice for others considering aquaculture? “Go for it! If you’re passionate about science and the environment, this is a fantastic field to pursue.”