Benchmark : Women thrive in Brazilian aquaculture

Do you think the proportion of women in the sector is likely to rise?

Definitely. I have witnessed how in different universities in Latin America the proportion of female students in aquaculture, as well as other related areas such as veterinary studies, is increasing. I've also noticed in a number of Central American countries that governments and international aid are providing training and materials to encourage women to produce tilapia and shrimp.

Do you think/hope that this momentum will be accompanied by a rise in the number women in high ranking positions?

I'm sure that this will happen in the near future, and we have several examples of high ranking women in the Benchmark Group (of which Spring Genetics and FAI are both a part). I believe that our company is setting an example in the industry.

If you had a daughter who was considering a career in aquaculture what would your advice be?

My daughter is only two months old at the moment, but if she wants to make a career in aquaculture I would tell her to prepare academically as much as possible and to look into specialising into a particular part of the industry - for example by training as a geneticist, nutritionist or vet. I'd also remind her to be prepared to get wet and muddy, as practical field experience is very important. The most crucial thing I would tell her, however, is that she should pursue a career that she enjoys.