That women living and working in traditional fishing communities have historically played a very significant role in the development of the fishing industry in South Africa, as well as in the sustenance of our coastal communities, our families and their livelihoods. Women have historically been involved in fisheries in many different ways, harvesting a variety of marine resources for local consumption as well as for the market.
Much of the work that women have done in the past, and continue to do, is not visible, nor is it regarded as valuable. Society tends to assume that the term ‘fisher’ refers to a fisherman, and women’s role and their contribution to the fisheries is seldom recognised.