Date of Award

Summer 8-16-2024

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Open-Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Advisor

Teresa R. Johnson

Second Committee Member

Gayle Zydlewski

Third Committee Member

Sandra De Urioste-Stone

Abstract

Women have historically played major roles in seafood production globally, both directly as harvesters and indirectly as support systems for harvesters. Recent studies have revealed that women are the minority gender in Maine’s aquaculture industry, and they experience barriers related to their gender. Until recently, aquaculture training courses in Maine have not sufficiently acknowledged the different needs of different genders. This master’s thesis aims to better understand the experiences and perceptions of women in the aquaculture industry, as well as the needs of women in aquaculture training programs. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with women who previously took the Aquaculture in Shared Waters (AQSW) training program and used thematic analysis to analyze the generated data. Chapter 2 examines the experiences and perceptions of women enrolled in the AQSW training program. Participants described their motivations for pursuing a career in aquaculture in addition to barriers they perceived. This study found that women’s backgrounds and experiences, including their connection to commercial fishing or parental status, were significant factors in their abilities to pursue aquaculture. While many participants enjoyed the AQSW program, some expressed frustration that the course did not accommodate the different needs of men and women. Chapter 3 focuses on assessing the needs of women in aquaculture training programs based on participants’ recommendations for a women-only programming. Some participants described not wanting a women-focused aquaculture training program, either because they felt it did not meet their personal needs or because they feared separating men and women would lead to further inequality. However, participants who did want a women’s focused program described wanting a gender-responsive program that takes into consideration the unique needs of women. The content participants most wanted to see included lessons on safety skills, hands-on technical skills, and women-specific business skills. Participants also discussed wanting avenues for connecting and forming social networks with other women in aquaculture, and they recommended structural features they would want to see in a potential women-specific program. Results from this research were used to inform the design of the 2024 Aquaculture in Shared Waters: Women in Aquaculture Series.

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