Women in the Seafood Industry of the Northern Territory: Participation, Contribution and Workforce Attraction and Retention

Despite decades of participation, the attraction and retention of women in the Australian seafood industry workforce continues as an ongoing issue. Industry has called for investigation into issues to develop options for sustainable engagement and involvement of women, whose participation and perspectives has been under-researched in Australia. This PhD investigates ways to enhance the participation, contribution, workforce attraction and retention of women in commercial seafood industries in the Northern Territory. It will 1) document the participation of women, including from culturally diverse, migrant, and Indigenous backgrounds; 2) identify gender-related barriers and structural changes occurring in the sector and influence on women’s participation; and 3) identify factors contributing to the attraction and retention of women. These include a detailed gender lens analysis of the linkages between structural and historical changes and barriers and the declining participation of women in the sectors; and specific policy and industry support interventions required to address the decline in women’s participation. This PhD will provide in-depth research to inform Turn the Tide activities and future industry partners activities nationally. It offers an excellent opportunity to build a strong basis for future research and engagement not only in the NT and regional and remote towns and but also nationally. Recommendations for industry and policy will emerge from this research collaboration at a time when wild catch fisheries and aquaculture sectors are going through structural changes. The research benefits include identification of pathways for an enhanced gender inclusive, robust, and viable sector, with national application.