Women are employed in many aspects of the commercial fishing industry– as captains and deckhands, in processing plants and shoreside businesses, as advocates, fisheries scientists and boat owners.
One woman worked in a fish processing and packing plant, and says the ratio was 65% female, 35% male, excluding management. Women did have to face prejudice, not just from fishermen but from lumpers and laborers on the docks, but these days the role is open to both sexes, however it seems that women do have to prove themselves from the very beginning.