The Aquarium Industry: A Global Look from Down Under with Ornamental Fish International President Shane Willis
The aquarium trade is a billion dollar industry with commerce of animals, plants, and goods supporting the livelihoods of people all over the world. National and international organizations play a key role in managing and improving this complex business.
My guest today, Shane Willis, is Managing Director of the National Aquaculture Training Institute in Australia and President of Ornamental Fish International. Join us, as Shane discusses his journey and provides a global\ perspective on the complexities, challenges, and future of the aquarium fish hobby.
As a special discount for Aquariumania listeners, if they use the promo code WOA101 when they register they will reduce the cost for $95 to $10 - this will be valid for the duration of the exhibition from 12 may to 5 June.
BIO:
Shane Willis MSc.
Managing Director – National Aquaculture Training Institute Pty Ltd
President – Ornamental Fish International
Visiting Professor - Shanghai Ocean University)
Since graduating from the University of Tasmania with a Master Degree in Aquaculture, Shane has worked for nearly 30 years in the aquaculture industry. While he has worked with a number of food fish species, his main experience lies in the ornamental fish industry including: farming, importing/exporting, wholesaling and retailing sectors. His work history also includes teaching at the Australian Maritime College and University of Tasmania and he has worked on a range of consultancy projects for various industry, NGO and government groups within Australia, the Caribbean and SE Asia. Shane has experience working at Senior Management level in several companies within the ornamental fish industry across the supply chain.
While Shane’s experience covers most aspects of the industry, he has developed particular interest in biosecurity and intensive aquaculture production technology. With this background, Shane has presented at national and international conferences in the areas of intensive production, quarantine and Biosecurity for aquaculture and ornamental fish.
Shane is currently Managing Director of National Aquaculture Training Institute Pty Ltd (NATI) which provides vocational training and consulting options for the aquaculture and the ornamental fish industry within Australia and internationally. He was elected in May 2016 to President of Ornamental Fish International in – the peak international association that represents the industry around the world and hopes to continue working towards a sustainable and vibrant ornamental fish industry.
More recently he has been appointed as Visiting Professor at Shanghai Ocean University where he provides teaching on ornamental fish production techniques, the international ornamental fish industry and international logistics.