Wednesday, 8 March, is International Women’s Day, and several seafood business organizations and professionals are celebrating the contributions women make and have made within the industry.
The fishing town of Nelson, New Zealand kicked off a program of events scheduled to take place around the world throughout the day on 8 March, intended to “celebrate the role women play in the seafood industry. Industry leaders from Iceland, the United States, Chile, Europe and Australia are also taking part.
In Nelson, Donna Wells of Finestkind organized a breakfast, attended by 60 women in the industry, to launch the series of similar worldwide events.
“Given the importance of the seafood industry to Nelson, being Australasia’s largest fishing port, it’s appropriate that we should be the first to celebrate our women in the industry,” said Wells.
One of New Zealand’s most celebrated seafood speakers, Fleur Sullivan of Fleur’s Place, was the premiere guest speaker for the Nelson event.
“We are thrilled that Fleur is joining us. Fleur champions New Zealand seafood every day in her Moeraki restaurant turning the coastal fishing settlement into a gourmet destination for locals and overseas visitors,” Wells said.
Women working within New Zealand’s NZD 1.7 billion (USD 1.18 billion; EUR 1.12 billion) seafood industry have been extremely influential for the business, and their impact will only increase in the future, according to Wells.
“[Today, 8 March] is a chance to celebrate the role of women throughout our industry, those who work on our fishing vessels, in our aquaculture businesses and factories, to women who work in the science that supports our industries and women who promote and sell our products. Women play an important role in this country’s billion-dollar industry,” Wells said.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Women’s Industry Network Seafood Community (WINSC) has teamed up with Honey and Fox Pty Ltd. to launch a national survey to establish an “effective platform to promote and support the participation of women in Australia’s seafood industry.” The survey, which is funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), will help the collective “shape a modern and renewed WINSC that provides valuable experiences, knowledge and networks,” it said, and encourages both men and women within Australia’s seafood industry to respond.
Formed in 2000, WINSC is the only national organization in Australia which represents the women of the seafood industry. The collective has forged strong partnerships with the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector, with support from the Rural Industries Section of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, state and territory governments, and seafood industry bodies and associations, according to the organization’s website.
For International Women’s Day, WINSC has posted profiles on its website of some of the country’s most prominent seafood businesswomen.
Sea Delight’s “Women in Seafood” series, which features interviews with Dr. Barbara Blakistone, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs for the National Fisheries Institute, and Ruth Levy, former chief business officer for Stavis Seafood, also celebrates the holiday.
And take a look back at some of these other SeafoodSource stories highlighting women and the work they do for seafood:
- A woman in charge: The story of Ruth Levy's career
- Q&A with new American Seafoods CEO Mikel Durham
- Women still underrepresented in seafood industry
- 10 most influential seafood executives in China
- Chopped and Cut Throat Kitchen champion coming to cook at SENA
- Thai Union's Darian McBain speaks at Trust Women Conference
- Premium: Salty Girl co-founders talk women in seafood and sourcing sustainable
