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About US
genderaquafish.org, is devoted to the exchange of information on gender in aquaculture and fisheries from all parts of the world. Supported by the Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section (GAFS) of the Asian Fisheries Society, , it welcomes contributions, links and comments, from researchers and other experts with professional interests in furthering gender research in aquaculture and fisheries development. We have a world-wide interest in what is happening on gender in aquaculture and fisheries. Any views expressed on the website are the personal views of the authors of individual articles and do not represent the views of the Asian Fisheries Society or any other organization. genderaquafish.org was established in 27 September 2010 specifically to serve as the 2011 3rd Global Symposium on Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries. Soon, however, we began using it to also post news of new research, studies and events, and gradually added some additional materials of background interest to readers. The website was redeveloped in 2017/2018
executive commitee
KYOKO KUSAKABE
NIKITA GOPAL
ARLENE NIETES SATAPORNVANIT
KAFAYAT ADETOUN FAKOYA
SURENDRAN RAJARATNAM
SUNILA RAI
ALICE JOAN FERRER
RAHMA ADAM
HOLLY HAPKE
CARMEN PEDROZA-GUTIÉRREZ
PIYASHI DEBROY
JOIN HANDS with us
You are welcome to join the Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section of the Asian Fisheries Society: Send a short message to the AFS Executive Officer, indicating that you wish to join GAFS
lATEST NEWS AND STORIES
Researchers Map Path Forward for Gender-inclusive Fisheries Data
A global team of researchers has developed a comprehensive framework to close gender data gaps in small-scale fisheries, addressing the persistent undercounting of women’s contributions to the sector.
The perspective paper, published in September 2025 in the journal Ambio, brings together insights from 36 contributors across six continents — including Michigan State University Profs. Mar Mancha-Cisneros and Mark Axelrod — to propose concrete solutions that address these gaps.
The women of the Pulo Island Barangays - Concepcion, Iloilo, Region 6, Philippines
This short descriptive report comes from work during 2025 with the Patron of the seas project run by Liz Drury O’Neill from the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Professor Alicer Ferrer from the University of the Philippines Visayas with collaborators Therese Lindahl, Simon West, Jinky Hopanda, Julie Ann Claire Nique and Robert Pomeroy. Here we present data collected from 144 women (107 men) across 7 Sitios (akin to villages) in one island Barangay (the smallest political unit in the Phillipines) in Concepcion, Iloilo as part of an experimental campaign in 2025 (to read more about the economic experiments see here).
GAFS 2025 Inaugural Distinguished Service Award: Nomination of Dr. Meryl J. Williams
We are proud to announce that Dr. Meryl J. Williams has been awarded the GAFS 2025 Inaugural Distinguished Service Award (DSA) in recognition of her unwavering dedication to raising the profile of women in fisheries and championing gender equality as a fundamental issue in fisheries and aquaculture development.
GAFS Awarded FAO Technical Recognition for Advancing Gender Research in Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems
In Rome on 15 October 2025, the Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section (GAFS) of the Asian Fisheries Society was recognised for its work in advancing gender research by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with a Technical Recognition Award in the area of Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems.
Unveiling the Gendered Impact of Fishing Bans on Erhai Lake
A critical new study analyzes the often-overlooked gender-specific consequences of fishing bans implemented for conservation. Focusing on China's Erhai Lake, the research reveals that while the ban aimed for sustainability, it disproportionately impacted women in traditional fishing communities. Women were excluded from fishing, faced significant household income loss, and bore an increased burden of managing strained finances.
Welcome to the 5th Edition of GAFS Newsletter!
This Edition includes an exciting collection of new stories and updates on various GAFS undertakings from around the globe. These are the highlights from this Edition. We’ve included several stories on GAFS contributions to global consultations and recent major events, highlighting how we continue to advocate for gender equality and create spaces to hear from fisherwomen first-hand about what they want.
Understanding Gender Roles, Constraints And Social Context In Fish Value Chain In Edo State, Nigeria
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO, 2024), total fisheries and aquaculture production reached an all-time high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022, with 185.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals' production, indicating significant growth in these sectors. However, women comprise only 24% of the total workforce in fisheries and aquaculture production.
Are Plastics Reinforcing Gender Barriers in Fisheries? Exploring a Research Agenda
Plastics in fisheries are largely synonymous with fishing gear, and consequently, abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), including nets, lines, etc., is the largest contributor to seabased sources of marine plastic debris. Since men are dominant in the harvest sector and use boats and gear composed of plastics, loss of gear, especially large nets, is seen to affect them economically.
Advocating for Women-Led Sustainable Shellfisheries to Enhance Environmental Stewardship and Climate Action
The International Science Council (ISC) and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) are co-organizing partners of the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group at the United Nations. They aim to integrate science and technology in global policy processes, such as the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda.
Championing Gender in Fisheries
In honour of Meryl Williams who received the Margarita Lizárraga Medal, at the 36th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI).
From concept to pilot: gender monitoring schema
The GeNA project - “Making nature-based climate solutions in Southeast Asia monitoring more gender responsive Southeast Asia: What gets measured gets done” - supported by IDRC’s AQUADAPT program, officially began in September 2023. Upon seeing the call for proposal, the ExeComm team members of Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section (GAFS) of the Asian Fisheries Society started discussing what is needed for gender mainstreaming in aquaculture.
Workshop on Integrating Gender into Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics and Trade Research
The 13th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (13AFAF) was a watershed for how gender was included in Asian Fisheries Society’s triennial Forums. Gender topics were in the Plenary, as a topic session and in the Forum’s graphic elements. The gender theme has come a long way in Asian Fisheries Society and can still go much further. Three messages to take home: why and how research is practices is critical to gender; need to focus more on women’s agency rather than their victimhood and marginality; and gender relations are dynamic under changes in resources and even new technologies.
