It all started in Athens, in June 2023, when the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the FAO, the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) and the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO) gathered a group of young female marine professionals to participate in the “Empowering women towards sustainable aquaculture development” programme, an activity that provided knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of aquaculture. But things did not stop there.
Fueled by a shared vision and enthusiasm, a group of participants forged “NOWA” - Network of Women in Aquaculture. With the main goal of establishing a supportive network for ocean preservation and sustainable aquaculture, NOWA's efforts focus on advocacy, raising awareness of opportunities for women, and developing competencies.
Amani Dahman, PhD student in fish pathology at the University Abdelmalek Essaadi (Morocco) and Marilou Suc, Blue Growth Consultant at Blue Connection (Toulon, France) members of NOWA’s founding team share their viewpoints.
What inspired you to start a network to support women in the aquaculture industry?
Marilou SUC: The inspiration for NOWA stemmed from a shared recognition of the untapped potential and underrepresentation of women in the aquaculture sector. Despite women's significant contributions, there was a clear disparity in leadership roles, visibility, and opportunities for professional advancement. Our pivotal moment came during the 'Empowering Women Towards Sustainable Aquaculture Development' programme in Athens, where the synergy among us highlighted the urgent need for a platform to support, celebrate, and elevate women in this field.
It is important for us to show that aquaculture offers a lot of opportunities, not just in traditional roles but also in areas driving the sector towards greater sustainability and impact. The different backgrounds of the participants demonstrated that there is space for everyone in aquaculture, whether their passion lies in environmental science, technology, entrepreneurship, or policy making.
By founding NOWA, we aimed to create a network that not only supports women in their current roles but also inspires the next generation to explore the vast possibilities within the aquaculture industry. Our goal is to highlight the sector's diversity and potential for growth, making it an attractive and welcoming space for women from all professional backgrounds.
Amani Dahman: The idea of initiating a network to support women in aquaculture may have seemed vague initially, but it proved to be an extremely beneficial initiative after discussing it with the women during our meeting in Greece.
Creating this network has personally helped me, and I'm confident it will also provide valuable support to many other women. Being multidisciplinary, this network will be able to provide a diverse range of resources and support, thus addressing various needs and challenges that women in this field may face.
What specific challenges do you believe women face in the aquaculture industry, and how does your network aim to address these challenges?
Amani Dahman: The challenges women may face in the field of aquaculture certainly include gender-related barriers, acceptance issues, and additional obstacles such as limited access to resources and opportunities, balancing work-life responsibilities, discrimination and stereotypes, and underrepresentation in leadership roles.
In terms of the network aimed at supporting women in aquaculture, it may encounter challenges in fostering an inclusive environment, providing access to tailored training and mentorship, and promoting female leadership.
Nevertheless, by addressing these challenges head-on, NOWA can effectively empower women, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and drive positive change in the aquaculture industry.
Marilou SUC: Beyond the broader issues like gender barriers and underrepresentation highlighted by my colleague, NOWA targets specific gaps such as the scarcity of female role models and tailored training in aquaculture.
We focus on aquaculture literacy, promoting diversity within the sector, and facilitating mentorship to guide and inspire women.
Through showcasing involvement in diverse projects and fostering a knowledge-sharing culture, NOWA aims to build a supportive ecosystem that encourages innovation and collaboration, addressing both immediate and long-term challenges faced by women in the industry.
How do you envision your network making a difference for women in the aquaculture industry?
Amani Dahman:: I envision our network making a significant difference for women in the aquaculture industry by providing a supportive community where they can connect, share experiences, and access resources tailored to their needs.
Through mentoring programs, training workshops, and leadership development initiatives, we aim to empower women to overcome barriers and excel in their careers.
Together, we can break down barriers, promote diversity, and build a more inclusive and equitable future for women in aquaculture.
Marilou SUC: I see NOWA as evolving into a dynamic community of practice that offers concrete, hands-on support for women in aquaculture. Our vision extends to creating multifaceted meeting opportunities - both in person on the field and through digital platforms like workshops, MOOCs, and webinars. These interactions are designed to tackle real-world challenges head-on, fostering a culture of shared learning and mutual support.
We aim to transform NOWA into a pivotal platform for career advancement, providing insights and advice across the diverse professions within aquaculture and highlighting growth opportunities. This platform will serve not only as a hub for personal and professional development but also as an advocacy tool towards policymakers.
We're dedicated to ensuring that gender equality challenges in aquaculture are recognized and addressed, demonstrating that women are not just participants but key drivers of sustainable and innovative practices in the industry.
As of today, the network comprises a community of more than 500 individuals on LinkedIn, a milestone reached since its establishment in December 2023.
NOWA stands as a shining testament to the viability of collaboration within the aquaculture sector. In the wake of their participation in a training program administered by the GFCM, the FEAP and the HAPO, NOWA's members have emerged as exemplars of proactive engagement, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to advancing their shared objectives.
Moving forward, the network aims to formalize its structure and inaugurate planned initiatives. Finally, the network extends an open invitation to all individuals seeking to connect or engage with the community via our social media platforms.
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