LIBBY WOODHATCH, EXECUTIVE CHAIR AT MARINTRUST LTD

Libby Woodhatch, executive chair at MarinTrust LTD. Welcome to Fish Focus spotlight on Women in Seafood, Issue 3. Follow us as we celebrate the amazing women at the forefront of the seafood industry.

I’ve always loved learning — and if there’s one industry that makes that easy, it’s seafood. That’s probably why my 30-year career has flown by… and why there’s so much more I want to do.

I always knew I’d end up working in something related to the sea as I grew up around ships thanks to my father’s career and the crab industry in Salcombe, my hometown, was a constant backdrop. The fish won and I ended up on a Fisheries Science degree at the University of Plymouth, which was a game changer. I was hooked from the start.

In the mid-90s, women in the seafood industry were few and far between. That didn’t put me off — in fact, I barely noticed it at the time. But looking back, there were definitely situations that wouldn’t be acceptable now

I’ve always wanted to be hands-on and close to the action. After completing a master’s in Fisheries Development and working on a seafood transport and distribution project, I realised how global and complex the industry really is. I set up my own consultancy to gain diverse experience quickly — and it worked.

In 2003, I applied for the role of CEO at Seafood Scotland. I didn’t expect to get it — the industry was still very male-dominated — but I did, and it opened up an incredible opportunity to work from boat to plate and to try and make a difference.

Some of the most rewarding work was connecting NGOs with the catching sector in light of the delisting of a major species by some retailers. Neither sector had previously engaged with one another and both had a lot to learn, it felt like a significant turning point.

That sort of bridging work has become a running theme in my career. Helping producers understand what the market needs and helping the market & NGOs understand what’s realistic and fair for fishermen and processors.

When sustainability took centre stage in the early 2000s and NGOs gained influence, communication became even more vital. The seafood industry has a great story to tell — and it’s always evolving. These days, we’re just as focused on labour rights and welfare as we are on the environment. And these shifts have made space for more women in the industry.

After Seafood Scotland, I became Head of Advocacy at Seafish, which turned into a global-facing role, focusing on seafood ethics and developing the Responsible Fishing Vessel Scheme.

In 2018, I became Executive Chair of MarinTrust, managing the global standard for marine ingredients — a critical but often misunderstood part of the sector. These ingredients are vital for aquafeed, pet food, and nutraceuticals. This is a forward-thinking sector, already investing in third-party certification before it was common.

I’ve had some amazing experiences — from Royal Garden Parties to becoming the first externally elected woman in the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers’ Livery and travelling the World. But the biggest privilege has been being welcomed into the industry itself — going to sea, visiting factories and working with the proud people around the world behind the products.

One of the most rewarding parts of my journey was serving as a Trustee, and later Vice Chair, of the Fishermen’s Mission. It gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by fishermen and their families — and huge respect for the tireless work of the charity’s team.

So what’s next? I’ve recently accepted the role of Vice Chair of Certified Seafood International, a certification for responsibly managed fisheries – I won’t be the only woman there, so much has changed! And for anyone considering a career in seafood, I can honestly say: jump in. The opportunities are endless.