We’re looking to collaborate with legal professionals who care about equity in fisheries

We recently published a sneak peek at the Partners of Commercial Fishermen (POCF) Wellbeing Survey carried out in collaboration with the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) and the University of Gloucestershire earlier in 2025.

On average, partners contribute 12 hours/week to the family fishing business, often on top of paid employment, yet 62% report having no legal ownership of the vessel or business. 

This structural imbalance leaves many women vulnerable, particularly in cases of business failure, relationship breakdown or bereavement and we want to change this. 

We believe that recognising women’s contributions must go beyond acknowledgement: it must include legal rights, security and representation. 

That’s why we’re seeking to connect with legal professionals -  solicitors, maritime-business lawyers, advisors - who care about gender equity and want to help support our members.

If you have relevant legal knowledge, or know someone who does, and are interested in collaborating to help secure fairer legal standing and protections for partners in fishing businesses, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in via email. 

Read the sneak peek of the research here: LINK 

Full report available in Early 2026

Contact: ukwifmembership@gmail.com