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influence other companies to improve their work conditions. MW At GAF7, I urged gender in aquaculture and fisheries
Large, leading companies can be particularly helpful. researchers to raise their sights and look at the bigger picture
– the larger intertwined economic and political forces that
The most critical action, however, is one that is resisted govern the sector. We are too focused on looking at women’s
strongly. This is for governments and businesses to enable small scale problems and solutions, mainly from a social
true collective action, such as workers’ unions, fishers’ perspective. We need to learn from feminist economic research
and women’s collectives. These are not the same as in other sectors; learn from previous political economy work
company-run staff committees with limited independence. on women and fisheries, e.g., during the Canadian cod crisis
Unfortunately, the union movement has been demonized and transitions in Kerala fisheries; and we need to present,
and heavily suppressed in recent decades, to the detriment of in leading fisheries forums, the case for protecting women’s
social equity. livelihoods and creating more opportunities for them. These

are not easy steps. Most fisheries and aquaculture forums
resist putting gender on their agendas and some of my
colleagues have even experienced a backlash.

To deliver on this political economy agenda, we need to
reorient our research agendas to be more outward looking,
translate more of the research results into actionable policy
options, and speak out, putting the options in front of decision
makers.

For GAF8, I hope for more studies on gender and the political
economy of fisheries, and more action on putting gender
equality perspectives into fisheries and aquaculture forums.
Credit: Sarah Castine, WorldFish I know already that several colleagues are working in this
Mapping exercise in Jhalokhati, Bangladesh.
direction, and so I am sure we will see the results at GAF8.
The UN estimates that by 2050, the global population will
exceed 9 billion, increasing the pressure on food sectors to Women are still over-represented in lowly paid positions
maximise production and reduce waste. In your opinion, throughout the world. What are some extra challenges
can fisheries and aquaculture keep pace with the growth in specific to the Asia Pacific, perhaps cultural and religious,
population, and at the same time, be increasingly accessible which are holding back the equitable recognition of women?
and affordable to all? Presumably advocacy efforts in say, Australia, would need
to be adapted to achieve the same impact in Malaysia or
Yes, if the right species are grown and harvested and Thailand?
MW
aquaculture becomes more efficient. This means much less
emphasis in aquaculture on growing carnivores and luxury MW Yes, cultural and religious differences certainly matter, but the
species like shrimp; and more in fisheries of small pelagics economy often trumps these and some basic and universal
for direct human consumption. I am reasonably confident factors are more important.
that sustainable replacements for fishmeal are going to Some problems with “equitable recognition” are basic and
be developed, judging by the promising options under universal in fisheries. A universal problem is that women are
development. not seen and considered. On International Women’s Day, the
And now, moving on to issues concerning women in fisheries. SEAFDEC-USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership referred
At the 7th Global Conference on Gender in Aquaculture to the “Hidden Half,” and the International Association for
and Fisheries (GAF7) in 2018, you presented an article Women in the Seafood Industry (WSI) coined the term “IIU” –
“From Catch to Consumer: Why Gender Equality Matters Ignored, Invisible and Unrecognised.
in Aquaculture and Fisheries” in which you highlighted the Women’s work is not counted in many industry statistics,
key actions that would lead to real progress towards gender e.g., in post harvest or even production; not considered a real
equality. Could you summarise the points in that article? part of the industry, e.g., gleaning; not included in fisheries
What do you hope to see happen by the time GAF8 rolls and aquaculture policies, e.g., the Code of Conduct for
around next year? Responsible Fisheries; often is unpaid; and the workers are

INFOFISH International 3/2020 ● www.infofish.org