This post is a collaboration between Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and Women in Fisheries, a network that connects women working across the UK fishing industry.

Aug 28

Approx 7 min read

Women are at the heart of UK fisheries- from regional management to everyday decisions, their insights and awareness, especially within fishing families, are deeply woven into the social and environmental fabric of the industry.

Their knowledge and perspectives can play a valuable role in shaping the future of fisheries and coastal communities, but they can feel that their contributions are not relevant enough to confidently get involved in discussions about fisheries management.

This is something we want to explore and help change. How do we involve diverse stakeholders to help build more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable coastal futures?

In this post, Stephanie Lucas,(SL) Network Coordinator from WIF sits down with Helen Hunter (HH), a Senior Policy Advisor at Defra, who works in the non-quota species (NQS) shellfish team to talk about her role in fisheries management and fisheries management plans (FMPs).

We aim to break down some of the common myths around FMPs, answer some key questions surrounding women getting involved, and hope to start removing some of the barriers that they experience.

Stephanie Lucas: Let’s start with a big question- why should fishers care about FMPs?

Helen Hunter: FMPs set out a plan to protect fisheries for the future of stocks, the environment and the fishing industry. They bring together huge amounts of information, including tapping into industry expertise, which the UK governments committed to in the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS).

SL: One common concern is that FMPs are just more red tape. How would you respond to fishers who see them as a burden rather than a benefit?

HH: I can understand how another government document could be off putting to read – it’s not the most exciting thing to do with your spare time. However, in my 12+ years in fisheries, I think that FMPs really are the most useful plans ever produced for fisheries management.

Importantly, they legally require the government to act. They also bring together expertise across sectors and organisations and have resulted in industry, regulators and scientists working even more closely than we did before.

SL: Across the industry, we’ve seen how women feel their voices won’t be heard in meetings. Can you share how inclusive the FMP process really is?

HH: I empathise with these feelings of not being heard, particularly in a male-dominated industry such as fisheries.

One of the great things that FMPs do is bring together different parts of the seafood industry to all work together to ensure vital fisheries and the marine environment is protected; from fishing communities to regulators, environmental non-governmental organisations (eNGOs) and academics.

This widening of representation on the various groups has also widened the demographic and we’re seeing more women involved in leading and shaping these discussions, which is extremely positive.

We know that not everybody likes big meetings, it can be difficult especially when some voices are more dominant than others, so we like to take a blended approach. For example, in our first set of FMP consultations we held meetings and events that differed in sizes. We used moderators to help manage discussions and had one on one conversations after the event.

Defra’s shellfish team is currently made up of six policy officials, four of these are women (as is our current Director) so we’re conscious and supportive of the need for women to be present and have their say and we’ll continue to ensure this happens where we can.

SL: Are FMPs mainly designed with large commercial vessels in mind?

HH: Not at all. FMPs should reflect the fishery and include all the relevant types of fishing activity.

Depending on which fishery or fisheries the FMP is covering, there may of course be more of a focus on some parts of the fleet. They will all be different.

SL: What real changes can women working in fisheries expect to see as a result of these plans?

HH: As well as better managed fisheries, which will benefit all, there is already more opportunity for women in fisheries to be involved in designing and testing management measures.

A lot of this work will be done by the newly formed groups that have been set up to work on implementation for the crab and lobster, whelk and king scallop FMPs. which provide inclusive, collaborative spaces for honest and open discussions.

We need expertise and experience from across the different sectors to feed into this, which will help to make sure the management is fit for purpose and supported. Not everyone will get what they want of course, but they will help ensure all viewpoints and ideas are heard and the outcomes understood. If there are areas or issues that face women in fisheries, which could be tackled as part of the work to implement the FMPs, we’d love to hear them!

SL: How does Defra ensure that science and local knowledge—including women’s knowledge—is balanced in FMP development?

HH: A lot of engagement takes place with stakeholders when FMPs are being drafted. This includes workshops and meetings where priorities, challenges and potential management measures were discussed. This provides an opportunity for science, local knowledge and expertise, including input from women working in fisheries, to be shared with us and accounted for.

Whilst the FMPs and supporting documents, such as the evidence statements, contain a lot of great information, we need to continually build on this and ensure up to date local knowledge is shared as we work together to develop future management.

SL: What’s the best way for women in fisheries to get involved with, or give feedback on FMPs right now?

HH: There are several ways stakeholders can get involved, and we would wholeheartedly encourage them to do so.

You could be a member of one of the FMP implementation groups – some are by invite, others will announce vacancies, but you can contact us about them at FMPs@defra.gov.uk. You can also get involved when these groups reach out to stakeholders for views as well as in future consultations.

Defra’s policy teams are always happy to speak directly to stakeholders too, so do get in touch with us – we’re a friendly bunch and would love to hear from you.

SL: What do I need to do if I'm on an FMP group?

HH: Get stuck in, share your views and expertise, be open and honest.

Promote FMPs by sharing what’s being discussed with your network (when it’s not confidential) and encourage other women in the industry to get involved too.

Please do get in touch with Defra if you feel your voice isn’t being heard, or if there are issues we can help with such as feeling more supported in these working groups. You can email us at FMPs@defra.gov.uk.

Throughout this conversation, Women In Fisheries have been putting the questions to Defra, but to finish we’re flipping the script. Helen has a question of her own.

HH: You’ve asked us some great questions, but I’d love to know - what’s the best way Defra and others working on FMPs can stay connected with Women in Fisheries and support the work you’re doing to amplify women’s voices?

SL: WIF can support any women that would like to engage with the FMP process.

Whether it’s virtually coming to a meeting with you, connecting you with other women in the industry via our Membership Directory, or even building a mentorship relationship with another woman already in our network.

The WIF Current are our bi-weekly, informal virtual gatherings. You can bring your learnings or things you might be preparing for FMP meetings. We acknowledge the hard work that goes into mentally preparing to engage in FMP consultations and encourage you to talk about this.

Anyone that identifies as a woman in the seafood sector is welcome to join WIF.

Women, you’re invited, you’re needed, and your knowledge and experience are crucial to the future of fisheries.

Sarah Crosbie