Certification group renews funding for female seafood entrepreneurs
ASC makes three-year commitment to Women in Ocean Food programme
Certification organisaton the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has announced its continued support for the ‘Women in Ocean Food’ programme, in partnership with Conservation International (CI) Ventures and business accelerator Hatch Blue. The initiative, which supports early-stage female entrepreneurs in emerging markets, will receive funding from ASC for the next three years.
ASC chief executive Chris Ninnes said: “ASC was the first sponsor of this programme at its inception and we are delighted to continue our support so we can drive change beyond certification, inspire the next generation of leaders and create a lasting impact in seafood farming communities.
“The ‘Women in Ocean Food’ programme supports women to thrive in the blue food sector by providing resources, training and networking opportunities, helping them recognise and fulfil future aspirations. Committing to three years of funding allows for enhanced community-building and longer-term support for the participants.”
Vital support
Wayne Murphy, co-founder and partner in Hatch Blue, said: “We are incredibly grateful to ASC for sponsoring the Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio and helping propel it into the future. Their support is vital in fostering an environment where female leaders can thrive and drive meaningful change.
We are delighted to continue our support so we can drive change beyond certification, inspire the next generation of leaders and create a lasting impact in seafood farming communities
ASC chief executive Chris Ninnes
"Empowering women in ocean-related industries not only brings diverse perspectives but also strengthens our collective ability to create sustainable solutions for the planet. It’s crucial that we continue to invest in and support these leaders, as their work will shape the future of ocean food systems and inspire the next generation of innovators.”
Fantastic mentors
Gracie White is director of global oceans investments at Conservation International Ventures LLC, an investment programme that provides loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises that operate in the forests, oceans and grasslands where US-headquartered non-profit organisation Conservation International works.
She said: “It’s wonderful to have ASC’s continued support for this programme. Their team members have been fantastic mentors for previous cohorts, and I know our future participants will similarly benefit from their involvement.”
Two-week programme
The funding will support the next two-week programme in Baja, Mexico in January 2025, which will host around 24 participants. This will be the fourth globally-focused Women in Aquaculture studio sponsored by ASC.
Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts, gaining valuable feedback and potential funding for their ventures. By focusing on innovation and sustainability, the programme seeks to address the challenges faced by women in aquaculture and empower them to lead the way in transforming the industry.
As with previous programmes, a member of the ASC team will be in Baja to host a 90-minute masterclass and provide ongoing mentorship to programme attendees.
Changing approaches
Earlier this year, a successful ‘Women in Ocean Food’ programme was held in La Paz, Mexico, with 86% of the participants adjusting their business models after careful strategic evaluation and all participants changing their approach to market and/or funding. The teams have collectively raised US $171,000 to fund their projects.
By focusing on Latin America for three consecutive years, ASC and its partners can provide higher-quality long term support, and participating companies and projects can better explore collaboration and synergies within the region, ASC said in a press release.
