Fisherwomen’s activities are as complex, salient, and profitable as those performed by fishermen: A study from vulnerable traditional fishery communities

Abstract

Examining gender dynamics in small-scale fisheries (SSF) is crucial for understanding the contributions of both women and men and identifying potential inequalities. Although women are a fundamental part of the seafood supply chain in SSF, especially in traditional communities, management remains gender biased. This is partly due to a lack of understanding of gender mainstreaming. To address this, we conducted a participatory fishery monitoring initiative along the Brazilian central coast, focusing specifically on engaging local and traditional communities. Our aims were to analyze the catch volume, labor distribution, target resources, profitability differences between fisherwomen and fishermen, and to examine the intricate intra-community relationships that may influence labor dynamics in these communities. The study revealed fundamental differences in women and men’s fishing activities and profitability. Fisherwomen primarily targeted a set of high-priced resources (e.g., shelled mollusk) that are different from those harvested by fishermen (e.g., fin fish), while also having lower operational costs, given their focus on gleaning. Women also contribute to men’s labor by engaging in the processing of their captures. These factors collectively increased the overall profitability of fisherwomen compared to fishermen. Furthermore, while fishermen depend on fisherwomen’s post-processing services, the activities of fisherwomen are more independent, as revealed by Exponential-family Random Graph Models. The communities-specific profitability assessment developed in this study can be readily adapted for use in other fishing communities where both women and men contribute to catches. Our approach offers valuable insights into gender sensitivities and adaptability within SSFs, serving as a tool for policy making and improving the fishery value chain.