Women in Seafood Australasia - Understanding, supporting and promoting effective participation by women within the Australian seafood industry
WINSC 2018 Annual Conference Sponsorship
The need exists to bring together WINSC members from wide geographical and demographic spheres as well as from a diverse range of women involved in the Australasian Seafood Industry to hold an annual conference and AGM to build the capacity of its seafood women to contribute to their industry
WINSC - Providing pathways for the involvement of women in seafood industry development
Internationally it is well documented that despite having a high participation rate in the seafood industry women are very under represented in key decision making roles and have difficulty having their views heard and taken notice of. Other industries have found that supporting a greater involvement by women in decision making fora has provided industry wide benefits, and it is expected that such support would have the same result for seafood.
WINSC itself has recognised the need to better connect with all women in seafood, no matter what their roles may be. WINSC also needs to better understand and use anew technologies to improve communication, connection and support of women in seafood. This proposal seeks funding for 10 months to initiate and undertake the first stage of the proposed WINSC renewal process. This process aims to result in WINSC having capacity and capability to better connect with women in the seafood industry and to deliver support and services that help them to increase their profile, capitalise on and improve their skills and contributions as well as ensure better participation in key decision making roles.
WINSC also recognises the need to mainstream WINSC activities and to involve men as part of the network. In this context WINSC has identified an opportunity to support an annual Seafood Fresh Ideas seminar (to be held as part of Seafood Directions conference in the years that is held and as a stand alone activity in the years that it is not). This will be open to participants from the entire industry and will feature thought provoking presentations from futurists and innovative entrepreneurs. WINSC will explore the feasibility and practicality of this idea as part of the proposed stakeholder review process.
WINSC will also use the stakeholder review process to review the WINSC Bursary process to ensure that it meets the needs of WINSC and FRDC stakeholders
Final report
▪ Develop effective partnerships with government agencies and other industry stakeholders.
▪ Take a professional approach to all activities and relationships with other stakeholders.
▪ Create a supportive environment to ensure women of the fishing industry reach their potential.
▪ Actively encourage the involvement of seafood women.
▪ Provide community education on all aspects of the seafood industry.
People development program: WINSC annual conference sponsorship
The need exists to bring together WINSC members from wide geographical and demographic spheres as well as from a diverse range of women involved in the Australasian Seafood Industry to hold an annual conference and AGM to build the capacity of its seafood women to contribute to their industry.
Empowering fishing women to capitalise on networks
The role of women is poorly represented in fishing statistics and measures of productivity. There is more information available on fisheries production than there is on women's contribution to the fishing industry. Consequently, there is an immediate need for information to be gathered which will build a picture of the role that women play in the fishing industry and help to develop that role. Such information would provide insight into what areas of the fishing industry were of interest to individual women, what issues were of concern, and how women might develop an even more productive role in strengthening the fishing industry.
Developing an understanding of the issues of concern to women, improving skill levels of women involved in the fishing industry, and widening of the established network would all provide a better avenue for information exchange and support to all women across Australia .
This project has a number of objectives in meeting its overall aim to form a productive support network for women, through positive"people development", in order to enable them to develop skills that will enhance the role of women within their own working environment and the fishing industry as a whole.
Final report
Traditionally there has been little emphasis placed on the role and contribution of women in the South Australian fishing industry. Many other primary industries, most notably dairy and grains, have invested significant resources in developing the role and skills of women. This has resulted in the more effective use of what was an untapped resource, in developing the industry.
During 1996 and 1997 a group of women associated with the fishing industry in South Australia began working together to address this situation. This resulted in the formulation of the Women's Industry Network. (WIN). WIN can be best described as a group of women joined or linked by a common cause, purpose, or interest, to ensure the fishing industry has a positive future.
In February 1998, WIN held a FRDC sponsored state workshop entitled "Capitalising on the Talents of Women in the South Australian Fishing Industry." Project No: 97/348. One of the outcomes of the workshop the development of a four-point action plan for future operations of the network so that it might best serve the needs of the fishing industry. After the workshop, women from around the state have adopted essential projects to assist the development and operation of WIN on a local and state base level.
A result of the training workshop the production of an information booklet to support regional WIN women in conducting meetings and performing committee roles was developed to act as a resource tool for these women.
The Fishing for Women study resulted in producing a research study of the current situation of the role of women in fishing across Australia. It identified areas of the industry which women wanted more input and action taken. The survey data was used to develop the two day national conference. The survey also recommended further studies be undertaken with women of the Australian fishing industry focussing on "grassroots" women.
The conference participants re-enforced the findings of the Fishing for Women study and participants developed and agreed upon the formulation of a national body to carry out their vision. An acting board was given the task to fulfil the vision.
Keywords: Fishing Industry, Women, Roles, WIN, Networks
Capitalising on the talents of women in the South Australian fishing and seafood industry
The formation and subsequent development of WIN has been a major new initiative for the South Australian fishing and seafood industry. Having had a successful first 16 months of operation, the time is right to review and focus WIN with an aim of expanding the member base to include a broader cross section of the fishing industry.
Strategic planning is essential if this organisation is to provide benefits to individuals within the fishing and seafood industry, and the industry as a whole. Without planning for the future, the full potential of such an organisation will not be realised and members and the industry may become disillusioned about WIN's ability to achieve its goals.
This proposal aims to strengthen WIN by broadening and focussing its membership base and to prepare a plan for the future as an organisation. As part of this, there is a need to identify the strengths of WIN and focus these towards attaining its objectives. The project will also investigate ways of linking fisheries related agencies, organisations and associations with WIN to assist in this strategic planning for the South Australian fishing and seafood industry.
Women within this industry have often been the isolated and invisible partners. However, by working together industry may benefit from the diverse talents of these women. Following the establishment of networks and increasing the industry’s awareness of WIN over the past 16 months, WIN is now in a position to become focussed on what it is aiming to achieve and prepare a plan for achieving this. The result will be the development of a valuable resource for the state's fishing and seafood industry.