Women In Fisheries - A Year in Review
Stephanie Lucas - WIF Coordinator
8-10 min Read
This past year has been one of learning, connection, and growth. When I first joined UK Women in Fisheries, 12 months ago, I was new to the world of fishing; I’d worked on boats and in an aquarium before, but my career had taken me into project and community management, not fishing - but how I have been missing out! As I reflect on the last year, I realise how over the months, I’ve come to understand and deeply respect the people, places, and traditions that define the UK fishing industry.
With the incredible commitment from the UK Women in Fisheries directors, and funding from FASS, Esme Fairbairn and The Seafarers Charity, UK WIF was able to employ both myself as Network Coordinator and Ashley Mullenger, Digital Comms Officer. Ashley, obviously already very familiar with fishing, and confident in managing social media accounts, jumped into the role that could have been built for her. In just 12 months the UKWIF social media following has achieved 60% growth on both Facebook and Instagram. Back in October 2024 we started the UKWIF LinkedIn page enabling us to reach people and businesses that would never have known about women in seafood otherwise. Our collective following across platforms is now well over 3200 accounts.Over the past twelve months, UK Women in Fisheries has transformed from a promising initiative into a confident, connected network shaping the future of the UK’s fishing and seafood sectors.
I like to think the last year was for laying foundations and building momentum. Initially Ashley and I were offered 6 month contracts and a challenging set of KPIs- which we achieved at speed - but we didn’t have the time to work on a strategic approach to creating lasting change, or build systems and communities that could thrive even without us in post. However, as our contracts were renewed once, and again, we’ve dedicated ourselves to figuring out how to balance impact with long-term support.
Initially, I had big plans which involved spending a lot of money - and I soon realised there was none! Whereas shopping for membership platforms around £10,000 would have been an easy task in previous roles, the tough financial situation at UKWIF, and most other fishing-related businesses in the UK, meant we had to get creative!
Firstly, we created a new partnership structure to help formalise collaborations with other organisations across the sector. Today, less than one year later, we have a network of over 16 community partners.Building these formal relationships with like minded organisations and communities helps both parties strengthen their own values and objectives in the goal for gender parity throughout the workplace and society and we look forward to forging new friendships with other like-minded initiatives.
Within the first 6 weeks we launched a mentorship matchmaking service - connecting women mentors with fresh mentees looking to develop their skills and experience to thrive at work.
Next, Ashley used her connections and incredible relationship with Yeti to secure hundreds of UKWIF branded pink Yeti chug bottles [Photo] which became the early symbol of belonging. Over the year, we got to see these water bottles on boats, beaches and boardrooms!
Ashley jumped into opportunities to attend in-person events. In November, Ashley was invited to travel to Jeju Island, home of the Haenyeo women (the sea-women), to speak at the International Committee of Fishing Communities ,this was an incredible event with a large focus on Women in fisheries communities globally.The opportunity for networking and international learning was just as important as showcasing the work of UKWIF on the global stage.
As the year progressed, a members-only website went live, complete with a digital membership directory powered at bargain price by Community Box. This makes it easier for members to connect, and see who else lives or works in different locations.
More website updates continued to make the WIF website a hub of resources for everyone - not just women. A new training resources page provided free access to sector-relevant materials, and our expanding Events page listed targeted webinars in a variety of specific needs, from risk assessment guidance in partnership with the NFFO to the often-overlooked experiences of partners of commercial fishermen with Megan Waldrep
Next, fuelled by my wholesome desire to start a bookclub, we created The WIF Current - the informal, agendaless gatherings designed for open conversation and connection for women who sometimes experience isolation due to the isolated nature faced in coastal locations . Whilst we haven’t collectively read a book yet, we do share recommendations for saucy reads, share knowledge - and gossip - and get to introduce women working in different parts of the sector who would never have otherwise crossed paths. The WIF Current has become a much-valued space and resource for members to share ideas, bring challenges, and lived experience without hierarchy or agenda, which reinforces the sense of shared purpose at the heart of the network.
The summer months brought a surge of visibility and celebration during the busy fishing season! Ashley, supported by the production company that were creating Beyond the Buoys, flew to Aberdeen for the Fishing News Awards where UKWIF were nominated for the initiative of the year award, which was won by The Young Fishermen’s Network, However being shortlisted as a nominee and noticed for our work was an incredible achievement.Later the same month, we both travelled to the other end of the UK, Newquay for the first ever women-only Basic Sea Survival course created by Clare Leverton at Seafood Cornwall Training . That same month, Hannah Fennell, UKWIF Chair, Ashley and I were invited to Buckingham Palace where we first all met in person, devoured delicious sweet cakes and sipped tea on the lawn. By the end of May, UK WIF had expanded membership to 300 people - smashing out KPIs, and growing to represent women in every corner of the UK - and beyond!
One project I feel hugely relieved to have supported is the Partners of Commercial Fishermen wellbeing survey, created by Hannah and Molly at CCRI. The survey asked partners - of any gender - to discuss their health and wellbeing, and how being in a fishing family affects their economical, emotional and physical health. The results were concerning and in some cases painted a bleak picture on the economic viability of family fishing businesses that relied on the exploitation of women’s labour. A full report will be available in 2026 and WIF will be using the results to guide our future efforts at supporting women in the most useful and impactful way
Of course, rapid growth brings challenges and frustrations - securing long-term funding, maintaining momentum, and ensuring that the network remains inclusive of women despite law changes and devisive cultural commentary. And all this happened whilst WIF were posting over 2 times a week across various social media platforms, sharing heritage stories of women in seafood, and celebrating our members through a weekly ‘Sea Sister Spotlight’.
Often, when I meet new individuals, or organisations to introduce WIF, they are shocked to find out that just 2 employees look after the day to day running of the network. They all share their amazement at the quality of Ashley’s curated social posts and the depth and complexity of knowledge shared on our website. We know that the funding landscape is difficult for many non profit organisations and the lack of large long term budgets can be a limitation on some of the projects we want to create. However as is evident by what has been achieved in a year,in terms of growing the network, what’s now on offer at UKWIF and recognition within the sector, funding limitations and inconsistency have somewhat stifled our potential but not our attitudes and our online presence is still as strong as ever. We know that the funding landscape is difficult for many non profit organisations and the lack of large long term budgets can be a limitation on some of the projects we want to create. However as is evident by what has been achieved in a year,in terms of growing the network, what’s now on offer at UKWIF and recognition within the sector, funding limitations and inconsistency have somewhat stifled our potential but not our attitudes and our online presence is still as strong as ever.
Reflecting on the last year, I realise that we’ve accidentally created an incredible springboard for the next twelve months - expanding our training offer, leveraging new evidence from WIF-specifc research, deepening and expanding our partnerships, exploring regional digital-hubs, and strengthening our voice in policy decisions and industry discussions. Next month, some WIF directors, all (2) employees of WIF, and over 50 women will be in London for a 4 day residential conference by Fishing Into The Future. We’re so excited to be able to collaborate with FITF for the first women-only F-REP
If you are interested in getting involved with Women in Fisheries, be that as a member, through partnership, or anything else, please do reach out to me at wifcoordinator@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the UK Women in Fisheries Network.
