This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 3 2025.
Traditionally, fishing has been considered a male-dominated profession. However, women play a vital—though often invisible—role in the sector. While some European countries have formally recognized this type of contribution, it remains undervalued and under the radar in many places. To address this imbalance, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has, for the first time, brought together women in fisheries from eight Mediterranean countries for a networking and knowledge-sharing event held in Split, Croatia. WWF has gathered women from Croatia, Tunisia, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, and beyond—united by the fact that fishing is not just their livelihood, but their calling. These women participated in the Women in Fisheries conference on 7 and 8 April 2025, where they shared their stories and experiences in the industry. The aim was to inspire and support one another while also raising awareness about the essential work they do.
Despite the crucial role women play in fisheries, their voices are rarely heard. They are seldom consulted when decisions are made. That is precisely why WWF has brought together women from across the Mediterranean—to help them connect, empower one another, and raise their visibility. We believe this experience will be important not only for their futures, but also for the future of sustainable fishing, said Kora Dvorski from WWF Adria. As part of the conference, women fishers from around the Mediterranean visited the Split fish market, where a photo exhibition titled The Invisible Strength of Fisheries was displayed. This exhibition highlighted the role of women in the fishing industry. The photographs were taken by internationally renowned documentary photographer Ivana Vareško, whose work has appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and other leading magazines. She captured the women in their natural working environments, portraying the deep meaning of their craft—fishing is more than a job; it’s a vocation.