WOMEN IN SCOTTISH AQUACULTURE: ACCELERATING ACTION IN THE SECTOR

Women in Scottish aquaculture: Accelerating action in the sector. Follow Fish Focus’ feature on Women in the Seafood Industry, to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.

As the leading professional network for women working and studying in Scottish aquaculture, WiSA is on a mission to advance the sector by developing the potential of women, at all levels, within their respective organisations. By celebrating the achievements of women already making significant contributions, and by providing crucial talent development, WiSA is fostering a more inclusive and diverse aquaculture community.

Growth of Women’s Presence

Increased diversity in aquaculture brings unique perspectives and skills to the sector. And here in Scotland, a growing number of women are shaping the ecosystem by occupying crucial positions. They are taking up leadership roles, driving innovation, and contributing to a more balanced and collaborative work environment. For example, Mowi, the largest producer in the industry, has reported that 40% of the company’s area managers are women, with their female workforce growing from 8% to 12.5%, demonstrating the tangible progress being made.

Challenges

However, challenges remain. The aquaculture sector has traditionally been male dominated, which can present practical constraints such as ill-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) and the physical demands of the job. Wider issues also persist, such as unconscious bias and the perception of limited equal opportunities. These are additional hurdles that WiSA is actively aware of.

Improvements and the Role of WiSA

The good news is that the industry is evolving. Technological advancements and automation are reducing the physical demands of aquaculture work, making it more accessible to women. More businesses are adopting flexible working policies, making shift-work much more feasible for people with caring responsibilities, who, more often than not, are women.

WiSA plays a complementary role in driving this positive change. The organisation raises awareness about the valuable contributions of women in the sector by showcasing their varied career journeys. WiSA’s mentoring programme develops female talent by providing guidance to early and mid-career professionals, as well as equipping more experienced individuals with the skills to mentor effectively. To date, WiSA has delivered three successful mentoring programs, with a fourth on the horizon, reaching a significant number of women in the sector.

WiSA’s Impact and Future Directions

WiSA’s commitment to recognising and empowering women in aquaculture is further demonstrated through their annual awards and training and networking events, providing women with opportunities to connect, learn and share best practices.

Looking ahead, WiSA aims to continually adapt to the needs of women in the sector, with the guidance of its advisory group, to help shape a more equitable and thriving future for women in Scottish aquaculture.

WiSA is guided by an advisory group of professionals from across the sector and academia. These voluntary positions ensure that WiSA is unbiased, has a fair cross-section of the sector represented and that the needs women in the industry are at the forefront of all WiSA activities. Find out more here – https://www.wisa.scot/our-people

Raising awareness of the various roles that women can occupy in the sector has been a long-standing initiative of the WiSA career interview series. To date, the organisation has showcased 40+ roles as a freely available resource for anyone looking to join the sector. Find out more here – https://www.wisa.scot/interviews