WiSA seeks new host to ensure continuation of its impact

Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA), a network dedicated to supporting the growth and development of women in the aquaculture sector, is seeking a new host to ensure the group continues its impactful work in the future.

Since 2019, WiSA has been administered by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC). The innovation centre recently announced it had secured a new funding package to sharpen its focus on helping to deliver R&D on finfish health and wellbeing, and its new focus means SAIC will have to step back from providing administrative support for WiSA.

At a session held during the Aquaculture UK trade show, the organisers of WiSA issued a call to find a new host to deliver its initiatives, including mentoring programmes, the WiSA Awards, events, training, and online knowledge-sharing.

WiSA was formed on International Women’s Day in 2019 following a consultation of 200 people working in the aquaculture sector. Nearly all (90%) of the respondents were keen to see a network of support for women working, or considering a career in the industry.

Since its inception, WiSA has grown to almost 400 members, including representatives from finfish, shellfish, and seaweed, operating in industry, government, academia, and non-governmental organisations.

SAIC will hold meetings through June and July with prospective WiSA host organisations, with the aim of identifying a new host in August and handing over responsibilities in September.  

Heather Jones, chief executive of SAIC, said: “I founded WiSA because I am passionate about supporting and promoting the role of women in aquaculture. The network has proven to be a vital step in helping the sector to grow. We are now calling on organisations who share our vision to step forward and help us ensure WiSA’s initiatives continue to thrive.”

For further details on the WiSA group and to express interest in hosting, please visit: https://wisa.sustainableaquaculture.com/the-future-of-wisa/