Change and stability:

Change and stability: The Role of Women in Norwegian Fish Farming

Liv Toril Pettersen

Bodø University College/Nordland Research Institute, Bodø, Norway

Liv.Toril.Pettersen@nforsk.no

Gry Agnete Alsos

Nordland Research Institute, Bodø, Norway

Gry.Alsos@nforsk.no

Abstract Fish farming is one of the fastest growing industries in Norway. During the last two decades it has developed from an industry composed of small, locally-based family businesses to a modern, capital intensive, globalised industry dominated by large corporations. The successful history of Norwegian fish farming has been strongly male dominated. Although there have been women in the industry, their contribution has not been very visible. Moreover, the share of women employees in the industry declined from 18.8 percent in 1994 to 12.4 percent in 2005. This article analyses the position of women in Norwegian fish farming and discusses possible explanations for the increasing male dominance in the industry during this period. Explanations related to changes in the industry, changes in the labour market, and those linked to the gendered image of fish farming as an industry are explored. Implications for practitioners and policy makers of this increasing male dominance are discussed.

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Home Journal MAST General Information Editorial Policy Subscriptions Back Issues About Us MAST Extranet	Change and stability: The Role of Women in Norwegian Fish Farming Liv Toril Pettersen Bodø University College/Nordland Research Institute, Bodø, Norway Liv.Toril.Pettersen@nforsk.no Gry Agnete Alsos Nordland Research Institute, Bodø, Norway Gry.Alsos@nforsk.no Abstract Fish farming is one of the fastest growing industries in Norway. During the last two decades it has developed from an industry composed of small, locally-based family businesses to a modern, capital intensive, globalised industry dominated by large corporations. The successful history of Norwegian fish farming has been strongly male dominated. Although there have been women in the industry, their contribution has not been very visible. Moreover, the share of women employees in the industry declined from 18.8 percent in 1994 to 12.4 percent in 2005. This article analyses the position of women in Norwegian fish farming and discusses possible explanations for the increasing male dominance in the industry during this period. Explanations related to changes in the industry, changes in the labour market, and those linked to the gendered image of fish farming as an industry are explored. Implications for practitioners and policy makers of this increasing male dominance are discussed.	Centre for Maritime Research Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130 NL-1018 VZ Amsterdam Phone: +31 20 5254143 Fax: +31 20 5254051 E-mail: