The role of women in the small-scale fishery sector in South Africa: the case of St Helena Bay

Iversson, Piazza Tatiana

The role of women in the small-scale fishery sector in South Africa: the case of St Helena Bay

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries are a cornerstone of coastal livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage worldwide, supporting millions of people and contributing significantly to global fish production. These fisheries are inherently diverse, involving a wide range of activities from harvesting and processing to marketing of the catch. However, the contributions of women in small-scale fisheries remain largely invisible within mainstream narratives, policies, plans and development initiatives. Across the globe, and in South Africa, women play critical roles that often extend beyond traditional value chain activities, including leadership in community networks, advocacy for sustainable practices, and informal resource management. Despite this, their efforts are frequently under recognised, undervalued, and they are largely excluded from decision-making processes. This research explored the different roles and contributions of women in all aspects of the St Helena Bay small-scale fisheries sector, moving beyond the conventional view of women's involvement as confined to pre- and post-harvest activities. Employing a gendered lens and grounded in qualitative fieldwork, the study adopted a case study approach and used semi structured interviews to gather in-depth insights. A total of 17 women involved in various parts of the small-scale fisheries value chain were interviewed. The research examined the factors that influence their full participation in the sector and considered pathways for enhancing gender equity in the small-scale fisheries sector. In St Helena Bay, women engage in diverse roles that traverse the traditional fisheries value chain. Beyond their involvement in pre-harvest preparation and post-harvest processing, women serve as caregivers, leaders, knowledge holders and custodians of the ocean. Despite these multifaceted contributions, women face systemic challenges such as marginalisation, economic precarity, and inadequate representation in policy and decision-making processes. These realities underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of their vital contributions to the sector and a reimagining of their position within the fisheries value chain. The findings reveal that women play a critical role in the fisheries value chain and their contributions are integral not only to the sustainability and resilience of small-scale fisheries but also to their broader socio-economic fabric of their community. However, they face significant challenges including economic hardships, limited support from government, onerous permitting conditions, and no social protection. This study underscores the urgent need for inclusive governance and targeted support mechanisms that recognise and enhance the contributions of women in fisheries. By reimagining the value chain through a gender-inclusive perspective, this research recommends pathways that could enhance gender equity in small-scale fisheries in St Helena Bay and more broadly, in South Africa.

Keywords

Geographical Sciences

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