Ava Schulenberg grew up in Santa Barbara where she spent most of her childhood in the harbor spending time with the commercial fishing community. Her father, Eric Schulenberg, was part of the original abalone/urchin diving fleet back in the “Bluewater Goldrush” days, and later continued to fish for lobster, crab, kellets whelks, and everything in between. Her first job was working the Saturday Market with her dad (pictured left), where she learned to appreciate the importance of supporting local food production.
Ava studied Environmental Studies and Philosophy at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. After graduating, Ava worked for a tech company for 3 years but knew she wanted to get back into the fishing industry, and she feels grateful that she is now again surrounded by the harbor community she grew up with and considers family. In addition to working for CFSB, Ava deckhands on a lobster/crab boat, is the Manager of the Saturday Fishermen’s Market, is a Laboratory Assistant II for CA Sea Grant, and is the Secretary for the CA Lobster & Trap Fishermen’s Association (CLTFA).