Blair Wolfgram
Managing Director, Ocean Beach
Managing Director, Ocean Beach
Blair Wolfgram serves as managing director and director of Ocean Beach, an innovative aquaculture and culinary venture located in Bluff, Southland. He plays a central role in repurposing the historic Ocean Beach freezing works into a thriving site for sustainable seafood production—most notably pāua (abalone) farming—while fostering local job creation and regional economic resilience.
Blair is instrumental in Ocean Beach’s partnerships, working to establish the site as a centre of excellence for aquaculture education, research, and workforce development. Under his leadership, Ocean Beach hosts hands-on training opportunities for students and supports cutting-edge projects in shellfish, finfish, seaweed, and algae cultivation.
Head of Innovation Acceleration, Zespri International Ltd
With more than 25 years of experience in agri-business—and two decades in the kiwifruit industry—Bryan Parkes has worked to develop and evolve the agricultural industry through innovation and R&D. In his current role as Head of Innovation Acceleration at Zespri, Bryan is charged with building a team to enhance the brand’s innovation strategy, innovation process and the commercialisation of innovation outcomes. Bryan will work closely with start-ups and solutions providers to encourage innovation in the crucial areas of the environment, wellbeing, nutrition, and quality of kiwifruit.
Through his work with Zespri, and at times in conjunction with Plant & Food Research NZ, Bryan has helped to develop and evolve the kiwifruit new cultivar development programme from a sub-million-dollar programme to be one of the leading fruit cultivar development programmes in the world.
Bryan first joined Zespri in December 2004 after 10 years of experience in developing and commercialising forest biotechnology for Carter Holt Harvey.
Director Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance (ASSA), Adjunct Professor - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at University of Tasmania, Director World Aquaculture Society
Catriona Macleod is a highly respected marine scientist and leader with over 30 years of experience in sustainable marine resource management and aquaculture. At Uni Tasmania’s IMAS, she drives research and strategy in environmental impact assessment and sustainable aquaculture.
She also plays pivotal roles in setting national direction through ASSA and shaping international standards via the World Aquaculture Society.
CEO, Agrisea New Zealand
Clare is CEO of AgriSea New Zealand, an award winning, intergenerational whānau seaweed company at the forefront of the biostimulant industry in NZ. Clare spent her younger years working for Global Vision International, running projects with indigenous communities deep in the Amazon Rainforest.
Her work focused on ensuring economic opportunities for these communities while keeping forests standing - this is the same approach that has led her to become so involved in the seaweed sector here and abroad.
Clare is a founding member of ANZSA and currently serves on the ANZSA Board.
Daniel Abrahams is a well credentialed CEO with a track record in successfully scaling start-up companies across the APAC Region. He hails from one of Australia’s most successful start-up incubators in Queensland, Australia and has led several companies through the IPO process.
Daniel has also held executive roles in financial services and critical infrastructure across ASX-listed companies as CFO and CRO.
Daniel holds a Degree in Business (Accountancy & Finance) and is a Fellow of CPA Australia and the Governance Institute of Australia.
He is a passionate wildlife photographer.
Marine Ecologist, Cawthron Institute
Dan is a marine ecologist in Cawthron’s Restoration Ecology team and co-lead of the Aquatic Protection and Enhancement Strategy team. He focuses on state of the environment monitoring and bottom-up ecological processes that may enhance recruitment of foundation species, such as seaweed.
The core goal of Dan’s research is to identify and implement strategies for restorative measures in areas affected by multiple, interacting stressors, such as through seaweed-seeding programmes for rocky reef restoration.
Commercial Lead, Greenwave Aotearoa
With a rich background that spans commercial fishing, management, conservation, and business administration, Hamish brings a unique blend of ecological insight and commercial acumen. His academic foundation includes science degrees focused on both ecological and social challenges in New Zealand. Over his career, he has excelled across various scales—from SMEs to large organizations—leveraging hands-on knowledge in harvesting, processing, marketing, sales, and distribution of seafood. This well-rounded experience positions him to effectively drive Greenwave Aotearoa’s mission of delivering both environmental and economic impact through regenerative ocean farming.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Fisheries and Oceans
Jenny Marcroft supports the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Hon Shane Jones, by engaging directly with seafood sector stakeholders across New Zealand and sharing insights from these engagements to support his work. She has visited seaweed and aquaculture sites from Bluff to Northland, meeting with iwi, researchers, industry operators, and community-led initiatives. These stakeholders are advancing work in Undaria and kelp farming, mussel spat nurseries, and integrated marine restoration.
The Under-Secretary is pleased to open the 2025 ANZSA Annual Summit and acknowledge the leadership, innovation, and collaborative spirit driving the sector forward.
Director Pest Management, Biosecurity New Zealand
John Walsh is the Director of Pest Management for Biosecurity New Zealand which is part of the Ministry for Primary Industries. His directorate is responsible for leadership and coordination across the Pest Management system as well as delivering large scale, national pest management programmes.
John is responsible for several large on-going biosecurity responses, most notably the responses to Exotic Caulerpa and the Freshwater Gold Clam.
John was previously Communications Director for the Ministry of Primary Industries, taking on that role in 2014. Prior to that he was General Manager of one of New Zealand’s largest public relations agencies.
Director, Hinemoana Halo
Paul Morgan (Ngāti Rārua and Te Māhurehure, and Te Atiawa Taranaki), is one of New Zealand’s most experienced exporters and business leaders.
He is the former CEO of the Federation of Māori Authorities, which holds $10 billion of collective assets. Paul has vast experience as an investor in bio-tech, horticulture, aquaculture, and he is a former lobbyist. With his strong business and cultural networks, Paul has been doing business across Asia for 30 years. Paul was inducted into the NZ Business Hall of Fame in 2020.
CEO, Premium Seas
Lucas is the founder and CEO of Premium Seas and an ANZSA Board member. He is committed to the development of a thriving seaweed sector here in New Zealand.
Premium Seas work with multiple species of seaweed, developing products spanning food, cosmetic, human health and other applications.
Assoc Prof School of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Otago
Associate Professor Lyn Wise heads the Tissue Repair and Regeneration Lab at the University of Otago. She completed a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago, where her interest in regenerative medicine was stimulated by her discovery as to how virus lesions could heal without scarring. After a stint at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Melbourne, Lyn returned to the University of Otago to lead Health Research Council-funded programmes resulting in the commercialisation of biologic therapies for wound complications.
Working with local and international, Lyn has since applied her suite of cellular and animal models to the development of various natural and synthetic molecules aimed at healing and regenerating human tissues. Recently, this has included Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment-funded research into materials generated from algal and fish sources that act as scaffolds for tissue production, with applications in both regenerative medicine and cellular agriculture.
CEO Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
Nicola Rata-MacDonald MNZM is the Chief Executive of Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, leading strategic initiatives in iwi development, environmental restoration, and cultural revitalisation. A dedicated advocate for te taiao and mana motuhake, she has championed projects such as large-scale mussel restoration, sustainable aquaculture, and invasive species management.
Nicola holds governance roles including Co-Chair of the Hauraki Gulf Forum, Co-Chair of the Exotic Caulerpa National Advisory Group and former Chair of the Auckland Conservation Board. In recognition of her service to conservation and Māori, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2025 and named New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year in 2024.
Head of Seaweed R&D and Production, CH4 Global
Octavio leads operations and science teams in New Zealand and Australia to sustainably produce high-quality Asparagopsis seaweed. His professional work is focused on helping innovation-driven businesses achieve their commercial goals while promoting environmental sustainability.
Octavio has held various professional roles in managing research and development (R&D) and innovation portfolios in the horticulture, water, and clean technology sectors. He earned both doctoral and master's degrees in Environmental Engineering and Microbial Biotechnology. Additionally, he holds certifications in business leadership and innovation from prestigious institutions, including MIT (USA), Stanford University (USA), and Delft University (The Netherlands), among other academic achievements.
Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Seaweed Industry Association
(recording)
A passionate advocate for sustainable ocean systems, Rhianna leads the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association, driving innovation, collaboration, and growth across the UK’s seaweed sector.
With a background in knowledge exchange, regulation, and industry development, she champions seaweed’s role in the blue economy, from biostimulants to food systems. As co-chair of Women in Scottish Aquaculture, she also fosters inclusivity and leadership in marine industries.
Advisory & Management Consultant, Blueshift Consulting
Robert Bell has academic training in marine science, law and business and over 15 years of experience in aquaculture, including 7 years as Managing Director of Seafarms Group, a major shrimp farming enterprise and one of Australia’s largest aquaculture companies. He is currently Managing Director of Blueshift Consulting, a boutique management consulting and corporate advisory firm, specialising in the ‘blue economy’ and provides technical, management and organisational development services to companies in offshore energy and engineering, ports and shipping, fishing and aquaculture, as well as transactional, corporate financial, investment and valuation advice to corporates, the financial services sector and governments.
Rob is also an investor in several aquaculture and underwater technology companies. Rob has worked with international certification body LRQA (formerly Lloyds Register) and assisted Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment Water & Agriculture (MEWA) on its reforms and ongoing development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the Kingdom.
Churchill Fellow for Seaweed Farming and Asset and Planning Manager, Huon Aquaculture
Dr Shea Cameron is a Churchill Fellow recognised for his pioneering work integrating seaweed aquaculture into finfish operations to support ecosystem restoration, sustainable food production, and carbon sequestration. As Asset & Planning Manager (Subsea and Remote Systems) at Huon Aquaculture in Tasmania, he leads underwater infrastructure and operations, drawing on over a decade of commercial diving experience, seven years as an ROV sub-pilot, and a PhD in Marine Ecology from Flinders University.
Combining deep technical expertise with a commitment to environmental stewardship, Shea advances innovation in sustainable aquaculture.
Principle Advisor, aquaculture Policy, Ministry of Primary Industries
Stephanie Hopkins is a seasoned aquaculture policy specialist with nearly two decades of experience shaping New Zealand’s legislative and regulatory framework for sustainable seafood production. Currently Principal Advisor for Aquaculture Policy at the Ministry for Primary Industries, she works to develop effective policies that enable responsible industry growth.
Stephanie’s career includes senior roles at Aquaculture New Zealand, MPI, and the Ministry of Fisheries, where she has led national policy programmes, collaborated with industry stakeholders, and championed enabling provisions at both central and regional government levels.