Influential Women In The Tuna Industry

Dr. Darian McBain

As Thai Union’s Group Director of Sustainable Development since July 2015, Dr. Darian McBain has major influence on sustainability policies for the global tuna industry, working for the world’s biggest producer of canned tuna.

A qualified engineer and scientist, she has published a number of academic articles as well as blogs, and has edited two books. She is also a frequent speaker on sustainability at global conferences, and when it comes to tuna discussions, she is not accompanied by many other women.

“I was sent an international tuna conference agenda recently and there was only one female speaker out of 25 people. Obviously it would be a positive to have more women’s voices in our sphere to ensure a greater diversity and pluralism of viewpoints—still I am hopeful we are moving in that direction, toward a more inclusive future,” she tells Atuna.

McBain is an engineer by training, and explains that she is used to working in a male dominated environment. She states that the fishing industry has traditionally been largely male dominated with the men going fishing and women processing and selling the fish.

“Some of those attitudes have not changed. I was surprised the first time I tried to go on board a Thai fishing vessel and was told that I shouldn’t because it was bad luck.”

McBain explains that she thinks the industry can be a lot more welcoming to women wanting to get into the business.

“An increased recognition that diversity brings with it many benefits, a better industry profile to show that it is a good place to work, and maybe a bit of mentorship from the industry veterans will enhance the opportunity for women to find and experience more successes.”

Rhea Moss-Christian

The Chairperson of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), Rhea-Moss Christian holds great responsibility as head of the tuna Commission which controls the world’s largest tuna fishing grounds, from which over 50 percent of the world’s catches comes from. In the position as Chair, Moss has a crucial role to ensure the sustainability of these waters’ tuna stocks, and which policies will be implemented to protect this resource.

Moss believes that the fact that she is a woman has not been an obstacle in reaching this position. She argues that it is not gender first and foremost, that determines how successful you’ll be in the tuna sector.

“Perceptions can hold women back but hard work and determination can overcome any negative perception that one might have of a woman working in the tuna industry. I don’t believe that expectations are necessarily any different and in my experience, it’s work ethic and results that get noticed, not gender,” she explains to Atuna.

Moss goes on to state that when she attended her first fisheries meeting at 22 in 1996, representing the Marshall Islands in a regional meeting of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), she was one of a few women in the room, saying that she felt like a novelty. She notes she has seen some change in this department however, and that the number of female attendees at these meetings has grown exceptionally.

“The presence of women in fisheries will continue to grow and I believe this is because the importance and urgency of the issues will continue to grow. More ideas and more efforts will be needed and with the growing presence of women in the field, it is inevitable that more women will emerge in leadership roles,” argues Moss.

Susan Jackson

Under Susan Jackson’s leadership, The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has grown from consisting of eight global tuna processors to 28 participating companies, which combined represent 75 percent of the world’s annual canned tuna production.

A coalition of tuna players, scientists and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), ISSF works to take initiatives to ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna populations, reduce bycatch and eliminate IUU fishing. The organization works and cooperates with RFMO’s and ISSF is the only NGO committed solely to the tuna industry and tuna conservation.

In her role as President, Jackson takes part in a number of projects related to tuna conservation cooperation between different stakeholders to support RFMOs and efforts of the tuna industry to maintain the sustainability of tuna fishing. One of the measures taken by ISSF is the creation of the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR), a voluntary registry which enables tuna vessel owners to display their level of sustainability commitments to the rest of the supply chain. Currently, there are 574 purse seiners, 92 longliners, and 260 pole and line and hand line vessels on the PVR.

Jackson has previously held the position as Vice President for government/industry relations and seafood sourcing at Del Monte Foods, also being responsible for the purchase of all raw tuna for its StarKist brand.

Elisabeth Fleuriot

As CEO of Thai Union Europe, a position held since August 2013, Elisabeth Fleuriot holds a high rank at one of the world’s most important seafood companies. Being responsible for TU’s European operations overseeing brands such as Petit Navire and John West, she is Chief of the leader in the European shelf-stable branded tuna market.

Fleuriot is only one of a few women in top positions at Thai Union, and is the lone female executive member listed on the firm’s website.

Originally from France, she has over 35 years of worldwide experience in the food industry working for some of the business’ biggest names such as Kellogg’s, Danone and Carlsberg.

Amanda Nickson

The Director of Global Tuna Conservation at the Pew Charitable Trusts, Amanda Nickson, works to ensure the sustainability of tuna stocks, influencing tuna RFMO’s and the industry on how to best protect tuna resources.

An independent nonprofit organization, Pew works to improve the conservation of tuna populations in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans through science-based policy development and advocacy. The NGO has significant influence at RFMO meetings and other consultations, being a respected scientific institution.

Nickson explains to Atuna that her being a woman has not held her back in her career. “Given the complexity of the challenges facing tuna management globally, the issues around engagement are not necessarily gender-related, but really about building expertise and trusted relationships, which helps drive better management outcomes – for industry, consumers and the ocean,” Nickson says.

She argues that there has been significant changes in the tuna industry when it comes to women taking on leadership roles.

“I suspect this is simply a reflection of the fact that historically, fisheries work has been undertaken largely by men. But today, if you look across the full sector, you see there are many many women involved in government delegations, in industry positions, engaging through non-governmental organizations, and within parts of the industry itself.”

Jan Tharp

As Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of one of the US big 3 canned tuna companies, Bumble Bee Foods, Jan Tharp has great influence on the US tuna industry.

Tharp started her career in the tuna sector working as Senior Vice President of Supply Chain for another major US tuna company, StarKist, before she moved over to BB in 2010.

Bumble Bee is an American household tuna brand, and Tharp has previously stated that one of the reasons why the canned tuna segment has been declining in the US market is linked to the millennial generation preferring convenient food options, a demand which the firm has been responding to by developing new and innovative on-the-go tuna products.

Susi Pudjiastuti

Having been dubbed the “Iron Lady”, Indonesia’s Fisheries Minister since 2014, Susi Pudjiastuti has taken a hardline approach to combat IUU fishing in her country’s waters. She has not hesitated in ordering the destruction of illegal vessels, setting a strong example for the entire tuna industry on how to fight tuna poachers.