More than 300 species of marine resources, including fish, invertebrates, macroalgae, and flying fish eggs, can be taken out through the many fisheries that have been developed around the Peruvian coast. A critical component of this fishery, however, often goes unnoticed: the critical role of women in artisanal fishing.
Elizabeth Gutiérrez, Marine researcher.
Women in Peru have a critical part in the family and community activity of artisanal fishing. Women can be found doing a variety of jobs at sea, such as managing a fishing operation, working as crew members in coastal or distance water fisheries, collecting algae by diving or walking long distances along the coast, so don't be shocked if you see them starting their fishing activities with a cry of determination.
These women's efforts have been so beneficial that many of them have succeeded to become owners of fishing boats. They organize and direct the fishing activities from land using this graphic. The shipowner function is strongly tied to employment creation (each vessel requires a certain number of crew members) and decision-making about which resource to capture. Do we have up-to-date statistics on the number of female shipowners in Peru?
On land, we observe women assisting with logistical operations at artisanal fishing landings. Activities ranging from ice-frozen supply to fishing unloading, processing, and transformation. Every fish that arrives at our table has been handled by a woman at least once throughout its journey.
Today, it's difficult to deny the role of women in fishing marketing. This a critical stage that allows marine resources to reach our tables. This is made possible in large part by the thousands of hard-working women who labor in the buying and selling of fish, allowing the catch to reach fishing ports and eventually local marketplaces. Despite this significant engagement, unfortunately, fishing statistics do not sufficiently reflect this reality.
In pursuit of data
A recent research published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides the first global numbers on women's engagement in small-scale fisheries. Estimating 40% of women's involvement in marine and inland fishing operations (pre-harvest, harvesting, and post-harvest).
Furthermore, the study discovered that the subsistence (harvesting and processing), and post-harvest stages (processing and trade) had the highest participation of women, with 49% and 50%, respectively. And just 17% participated in the stage of marine capture (on board a boat). In conclusion, women's engagement is often connected with informal and low-paid activities, limiting their social and economic benefits.
In the case of Peru, gender has been included in government projects to collect information on artisanal fishing since 2012. The National Census of Continental Artisanal Fishing 2013 - CENPAC collects data on 32,124 inland artisanal fishers from Peru’s regions, which includes 14% (4,491) women and 86% (27,633) males.
In contrast, according to the Third Structural Survey of Artisanal Fisheries on the Peruvian Coast (ENEPA III), which was completed in 2015. Women shipowners made up only 7.4% of the 3,835 artisanal shipowners registered in the marine area at the national level. There is no public data on whether the number of female shipowners in artisanal fisheries has increased since 2015.
Furthermore, there is no official data in Peru on women's participation in other critical stages of the fishery value chain, such as the processing and trade of marine resources. Important areas where the FAO has determined that women's labor is comparable to men's. The lack of data reinforces a gender-blind fisheries strategy, further limiting their access to government programs and economic benefits.
Women's voices in the shadows
Women have made their way into diverse roles within artisanal fisheries. Participation that advances between unequal conditions and a lack of awareness about gender roles in the artisanal fishing sector. Women of the Sea have a variety of voices that want to be heard by other fisherwomen, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local authorities, and the Peruvian government.
Women have traditionally been connected with family care and housekeeping. Because of this, it is difficult for them to participate in activities that need them to be away from home for extended periods of time. The harvest of fishing resources involves several days of navigation, which explains why women participate at a lesser rate.
Stereotypes and gender conventions continue to be significant barriers to women's participation in artisanal fisheries. There are still stereotypes in the fishing industry that some activities can only be performed by men. There are ancient beliefs that women bring bad luck to a boat and that fishing is solely for men.
The existence of female discrimination in tasks requiring physical force. A little-known example is the work of "polineros," who move a craft boat from land to sea and back with the help of a few poles placed beneath the boat.
Situations in which the figure of authority is transgressed because the person is a woman. In specific occupations requiring human management (shipowner or fishing trade), women find it more difficult to establish their leadership role in front of the employer.
There are few opportunities for women to participate in leadership and governance roles. Gender stereotypes of solely men working in the sea have been passed to artisanal fishermen's association figures (OSPAs). As a result, men predominate in leadership and decision-making roles. This, combined with a lack of government initiatives that incorporate women, is slowing the development of associations between women and their incorporation into existing artisanal fishing associations.
Making strides toward inclusivity
In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in research that tries to comprehend and highlight the critical role that women play in the fisheries sector. These studies have decisively proved how women's participation is crucial for the sustainable management of fishery resources.
It is essential that the government implement inclusive fisheries policies, based on solid knowledge about the contribution of women throughout the fishery value chain. This suggests establishing social environments and encouraging the growth of leadership abilities. Furthermore, it is necessary to comprehend the significance of women's roles in artisanal fisheries, which makes it imperative to have current and comprehensive censuses.
In this regard, technology can be a beneficial ally for the government by implementing virtual censuses and data registry platforms. These technologies would make visible not only the participation of women but also all persons participating in artisanal fishing, both men and women, allowing us to better understand their requirements and needs.
On the Fishers Men and Women's Day of the Peruvian coast, ARTISONAL would like to honor the significant, complementary, and hard work of women who have been engaged in artisanal fishing for many years. At the same time, we encourage society and the government to continue including women in all stages of artisanal fishing, not only through data and statistics but also in government initiatives, non-governmental organization-led conservation efforts, and academic research initiatives. In order to advance gender parity in the fishing community, and encourage inclusion among fishers.
¡Let's celebrate Fishers Men and Women's Day, always remembering that women are present in artisanal fishing, it is enough to direct our gaze towards the sea to find them!
