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WiSA will promote the diverse and rewarding careers that are available in aquaculture, to encourage more women to enter the sector.
Supporting Women into Aquaculture
(UNITED KINGDOM, 11/4/2019)
A total of GBP 50,000 (USD 65000) is being invested to help increase the number of women working in Scottish aquaculture.
The funding will deliver a mentoring scheme to support women already working in the sector to develop their careers, and a website to promote aquaculture and job opportunities to women.
The Scottish Government will provide GBP 20,000 to Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA), with a further GBP 30,000 of industry sponsorship. In 2018 only 11% of salmon farm workers and 15% of shellfish farm workers were women.
WiSA is a collaborative network for everyone working in the Scottish aquaculture industry.
Making the announcement at the annual conference of theAssociation of Scottish Shellfish Growers in Oban, Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said:“It cannot be right that there are so few women working in Scottish aquaculture. In any professional industry it is important to nurture a workforce that is diverse, and that means having a healthy gender balance".
Heather Jones.
“Women in Scottish Aquaculture was developed in close collaboration with industry because there is a growing desire by all to break down the barriers stopping women from moving into this thriving sector. The funding I am announcing today will help to kick-start this work. I hope it will lead to many more women considering a career in aquaculture.”
Heather Jones, CEO of theScottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), said: “I am passionate about supporting and promoting the role of women in Scottish aquaculture. I believe it is a vital step in helping the industry to grow. It’s been fantastic to secure financial support for this initiative from both the Scottish Government and the aquaculture industry in Scotland. The resources announced today will allow us to build capacity, confidence and capability amongst women working in Scottish aquaculture.”
About WiSA
WiSA was launched by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and SAIC on International Women’s Day in March.
WiSA is a collaborative network for everyone working in the Scottish aquaculture industry. Open for men and women to join, WiSA will promote the diverse and rewarding careers that are available in aquaculture, to encourage more women to enter the sector. It will also support the progression, opportunities and development of women who are already working in aquaculture.