83: Women in Fisheries

On shore or on water, fishing has not and does not appear to be a widespread occupational choice for women. Surveys found 70% disinterest based on a number of barriers. Onshore involvement revealed equally negative circumstance. The report confirmed that despite cultural and economic differences, these conclusions were true in both industrial and developing nations worldwide.

In this episode of World Ocean Radio, Peter Neill will discuss the ramifications of this survey, women’s roles in the various sectors of the fishing industry, and the opportunities for expanded involvement with improved support networks, public awareness, wider support, training, etc. He will argue that an expanded skill base will encourage women to become better prepared, more effective managers for their family enterprises, to exploit networking  capabilities with other shore-based women, and to generate transferable skills in a marketable area should fishing fail the family, or women require greater independence.

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Peter Neill, Director of the W2O and host of World Ocean Radio, provides coverage of a broad spectrum of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects. World Ocean Radio, a project of the World Ocean Observatory, is a weekly series of five-minute audio essays available for syndicated use at no cost by community radio stations worldwide.
 

Photo: A female deckhand fishes for sockeye salmon aboard a gillnet fishing boat on the North line, in the Egegik River, in Bristol Bay Alaska
Photo copyright: Karen Ducey, 2011