The crucial roles women play in aquaculture production have been explored at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Scotland.
For example in Cambodia, higher yields are obtained from fish ponds managed mainly by women. In Thailand and China, they often bear the sole responsibility of farm and aquaculture production because of male migration to cities. However, women’s contribution to aquaculture is often unrecognised and the real benefits from their involvement in the activity are not objectively assessed. This is surprising given that small-scale aquaculture development is increasingly considered as a means by which the livelihoods of the poor, including women, could be improved.
The results contained in a final project report by: Brugere, C., Kusakabe, K., Kelkar, G., Felsing, M. and Muir, J.F. (2001) Women in Aquaculture. Project FWG 03/99, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Singapore; is fascinating reading.
[Please note: Aquaculture e-zine can now be found at aquaculture.ako.net.nz]
[...] Following on from a posting back in August 2005, gender issues in aquaculture, it’s clear women are playing a strong role in aquaculture. Australian Women in Agriculture have a link to Mary Nenke, the Manager/Proprietor of Cambinata Yabbies; and from another source, Milada Safarik is one of the principals of Aquabait, a company involved in the farming of marine worms for the fishing bait industry. [...]