GLOBEFISH Meet the Expert has the opportunity to interview Ms Camille Cherques, Executive Director at the International Organisation for Women in the Seafood Industry (WSI). WSI is not-for-profit association created by seafood professionals and gender specialists. It aspires a seafood industry free of gender inequalities, free of sexism and gender-based discriminations, where men and women enjoy equal opportunities to build a truly sustainable industry.

During the interview, Ms Camille Cherques explained what the Organisation does, as well as its mission. It was reiterated the importance of achieving gender equality in the fisheries and aquaculture sector throughout the value chain. The WSI work is mainly to create content, carry out research and studies, advocate for women’s rights in the sector, and promote and disseminate information by organizing campaigns. And through its actions, WSI has already contributed to increase the attention paid by stakeholders to this topic. Although women represent 50% of the workforce in the sector, Ms Cherques described the main challenges that women face in the fish value chain. The implications of COVID-19 on women were also analysed during the interview. 

Ms Camille Cherques is a half-French half-Brazilian passionate and committed feminist and ocean lover. She joined the international not-for-profit NGO Women in Seafood Industry (WSI) in May 2021 as Head of Programs to coordinate its actions. Ms Cherques became its new Director in January 2022.

Prior to this position, she worked in communications three and a half years at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) on sustainable fisheries and seafood. She also created her ecofeminist podcast on women and the ocean called “iemanja”. Previously, she worked in different NGOs at local, national and international levels on art and climate change, ecological transition and movie festivals.

She achieved a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degrees in international law and cultural project management. She is based near the sea on the Atlantic coast in La Rochelle, France.