Project Summary:
This bursary will support a collective of experienced women leaders from across the fishing sector to attend ARFF and AFTA 2025, representing the newly formed Australian Women in Fishing (AUSWIF) Alliance. Their presence will not only elevate the visibility of women in the recreational fishing space but also directly contribute to shaping the future of the industry.
AUSWIF will take part in a key panel discussion on women in recreational fishing, providing a national platform to highlight lived experience, barriers, and opportunities for growth. During the event, the Alliance will utilise this time to co-develop programs and strategies in partnership with industry stakeholders, ensuring that future initiatives are collaborative, relevant, and sustainable.
The immediate benefits include:
• Representation of women in decision-making spaces.
• Building meaningful connections with tackle manufacturers, retailers, and peak bodies.
• Initiating real-time collaboration to design inclusive programs for women to further their knowledge and Career development opportunities
The long-term benefits include:
• Developing a sustainable model for the AUSWIF Alliance that supports women’s engagement, leadership, mentorship and employment in the industry.
• Driving cultural change through ongoing partnerships.
• Creating a unified voice for women across all sectors of fishing — recreational, tackle and Indigenous fishing
The Women’s Alliance initiative aligns with the FRDC’s strategic plan to enhance the sustainability and
inclusivity of the fishing industry, specifically addressing the priority of fostering gender equity and
empowering underrepresented groups within the sector. By investing in this initiative, FRDC will receive
signage at events, inclusion in strategic and policy documents, and recognition in all communications related
to the program, thereby enhancing its visibility and commitment to diversity in fisheries.
This initiative is essential as it responds to the growing recognition of women’s contributions to the fishing
industry, which currently sees only 16% female participation. The drivers for this initiative include the need to
challenge traditional gender roles, increase women’s visibility in leadership positions, and create pathways for
their active engagement in fishing, boating, and tackle sectors. The expected outputs—such as increased
participation of women in fishing activities and leadership roles—will directly address these drivers, fostering
a more inclusive and resilient industry.
The benefits of this investment are both quantitative and qualitative. By empowering women through skills-
based education and networking opportunities, we anticipate a 20% increase in female participation in the
industry over the next three years. This shift will not only enhance the diversity of perspectives within the
sector but also lead to improved decision-making and innovation. Furthermore, as women take on more
leadership roles, we expect to see enhanced community engagement and sustainability practices, ultimately
contributing to the long-term health of the fishing industry. This initiative represents a strategic investment in
the future of fishing, ensuring that the sector thrives through inclusivity and collaboration.
