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 dad, Eric Schulenberg, was part of the original abalone/urchin diving fleet back in the “Bluewater Goldrush” days, and he later continued to fish for lobster and crab as well. 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 various boats and is the Executive Director of the CA Lobster & Trap Fishermen’s Association (CLTFA). She was the Manager of the Saturday Fishermen’s Market from 2022 until 2026, she has prior experience as a Laboratory Assistant II for CA Sea Grant, and still occasionally works as a stewardess on various private/charter boats.