| Summary: | The British Columbia fishery is in crisis. Environmental conditions and problems
with the management of the fishing resource have led to a significant reduction in
stocks and created serious economic problems in the industry. Women's work is
central to the fishery yet it is often unpaid, underpaid and undervalued. Policies
guiding the restructuring of the industry do not take into account the unique
circumstances of women in the industry.
Therefore, the purpose of this study is to improve the understanding about the ways
fishery policy impacts the lives of women in the fishing communities of BC. The
question posed: What is the experience of women in the BC Fisheries during a
climate of crisis and change?
A feminist approach is applied to this qualitative study. Unstructured interviews
were conducted with a sample of nine women who have worked in the industry and
are impacted by closures and cutbacks. Findings reveal a devastating magnitude of
loss for these women and their families; a great mistrust of the motives of the
Federal government and its policies; and a multitude of strategies used in their
struggle for survival.
The critical inequities in the fishing industry make this study particularly relevant to
social work. Further research is warranted to develop adjustment, programs that
address these inequalities and meet the needs of women in the coastal communities
of BC. Limitations of thisstudy and suggestions for future research are discussed in
the light of these findings. === Arts, Faculty of === Social Work, School of === Graduate
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