From the Dock: Fishing women need the right work clothes

First published in Landings, February 2014.

I’ve been a commercial fisherman for nine years. I’ve gone lobstering and dragging for urchins and sea cucumbers. I’m the captain of my own small lobster boat, the F/V Hello Darlin’ and I also fish full-time aboard the F/V Sure Thing out of Stonington, Maine.

Over the years I’ve seen a tremendous increase in the number of women in the industry. There are women working full-time on boats of every size and in numerous different fisheries. The industry as a whole has many more women involved, not only as captains and crew but also in distribution, science, management and the non-profit sector. An industry that once was almost exclusively run by men now includes a significant number of women. We’re quick, dependable and want to be there. As we all know, good crew are hard to find; finding crew that show up every day and love the job is almost impossible. Women typically don’t just happen into the commercial fishing industry. We are there because we want to be and work hard for the opportunity.

For a number of years it’s been on my mind that it would be great to have oil gear that fits properly. I requested photographs of women fishermen for a project with the objective of creating better fitting gear and the response was overwhelming. I received over 300 submissions from all across the Northeast, Canada, Alaska and beyond. The photos feature women lobstering, scalloping, gillnetting, longlining and working in a diversity of fisheries. More images come in every day and I have immense respect for all these hardworking and tenacious women.

While working on this project, which I’ve affectionately dubbed Chix Who Fish, it’s become clear to me that women share the same issues when it comes to wanting functional and effective oil gear. Women are built differently than men, we have curves and hips and we’re frequently shorter and lighter. It’s not safe to have gear that can snag or catch while you are working. Or that doesn’t keep you warm and dry, especially in the winter.

The current designs can be uncomfortable and bulky. In a job where speed is a priority, I do not want my movement hindered. There are styles that women simply don’t wear due to their ill-fit, such as the traditional button-down raincoat. The only foul weather gear currently available specifically for women is lighter-weight yachting apparel; that doesn’t do the job on a commercial fishing boat. We work hard and deserve gear that accommodates us too, heavy-duty waterproof gear that can stand up to hard use. It’s about function, not fashion.

My original idea was to create a persuasive photo-documentary and send it to Grunden’s along with a request for them to consider making women’s sizes. Now the thought has crossed my mind to create a brand of my own. My firsthand knowledge of the industry offers me a good perspective and I think it would be terrific to have a Maine-based company develop this idea. Whether myself or another interested party takes it on, it’s a product there’s a need for and a demand that currently isn’t being met on the market. Hopefully we can change that.

Genevieve Kurilec McDonald

Stonington, ME