Women’s Organisations in Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe: History and Future Propects

Abstract

Social Issues in Sustainable Fisheries Management draws on the themes from a major international conference held at the University of Greenwich, London on 4–5 April 2011, titled “It’s Not Just About the Fish”. Over 100 delegates, includ- ing researchers, policy makers, fishermen (and fishermen’s wives) and industry representatives from 16 countries, including Europe, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Pakistan and the USA, gathered together to discuss the social and cultural impacts of marine fishing on coastal communities. Despite vastly differing socio-economic, political and geographical contexts, similar issues face inshore fishing fleets and coastal communities worldwide. A number of themes emerged out of the conference which form the backdrop for this book, including: the need for integration of local communities into the decision-making and management process; developing trust and cooperation between scientists, policy makers and fishers; stewardship and sus- tainable fisher livelihoods; the contribution of fishing to local identity and sense of place; and gender roles and women in fishing communities. Through this volume we hope to take a step towards a sustainable development paradigm for fisheries management, which explicitly incorporates a range of social and cultural issues. The contributions largely draw on European examples, although the issues presented are relevant in the global text. The editors would like to thank all the authors for their contributions and the wide range of community stakeholders that contributed to many of the projects outlined in this volume.