A three-day meeting, "Women Together in Fisheries 2026," was held in Tunis from October 5-7, 2026, to promote the role of women in Mediterranean fishing and their contribution to sustainable marine resource management. The event, organized by WWF North Africa and the Mediterranean Marine Initiative, brought together women from over ten Mediterranean countries, along with industry representatives and experts. The meeting aimed to enhance the involvement of women in decision-making processes and sustainable fishing practices.
The discussions focused on sustainable fishing, economic autonomy, climate change, and traditional knowledge related to fishing. The participants also explored the role of women in fish processing and marketing, women's cooperatives, and marine resource management. The program included a visit to Ghar El Melh, in the Bizerte governorate, where participants met women involved in post-fishing activities and local cooperatives. This allowed them to share experiences and identify concrete solutions that could be replicated in other Mediterranean regions.
The meeting highlighted the essential role women play throughout the Mediterranean fishing value chain. Despite their significant contributions, women continue to face obstacles in accessing financing, services, and decision-making processes. The Tunis meeting aimed to strengthen a Mediterranean network of women in the sector, using local experiences to inform operational proposals for more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient fishing practices.
The event also focused on the blue economy and opportunities for diversifying income sources in coastal communities. Participants discussed ways to transform waste into new economic activities and sources of income. The last day of the meeting was dedicated to combating plastic pollution and promoting a circular economy.
The WWF North Africa and Mediterranean Marine Initiative organized the event to support the development of coastal communities and promote sustainable fishing practices. The meeting provided a platform for women to share their experiences and expertise, and to develop strategies for addressing the challenges they face.
The participants identified several key areas for action, including improving access to financing and services, promoting women's participation in decision-making processes, and supporting the development of women's cooperatives. They also emphasized the need for sustainable fishing practices and climate-resilient fishing communities.
The "Women Together in Fisheries 2026" meeting concluded with a commitment to continue supporting the involvement of women in Mediterranean fishing and to promote sustainable fishing practices. The event demonstrated the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in addressing the challenges facing women in the fishing sector.
Key points
- Women play a crucial role in the Mediterranean fishing value chain, but face obstacles in accessing financing, services, and decision-making processes.
- The meeting aimed to strengthen a Mediterranean network of women in the sector and promote sustainable fishing practices.
- The event highlighted the need for a blue economy and opportunities for diversifying income sources in coastal communities.
