International Womens Day 2026!

This International Womens Day we spoke with Helen Fergusson, who works in the Salmon Sector with SSF and Konstancja Woźniacka who works in the Shellfish Sector with Seafish.

We Interviewed them about their experiences in their roles in Aquaculture!

Left: Helen Fergusson Right: Konstancja Woźniacka

This International Women’s Day, what inspired you to pursue a career in aquaculture, and which area do you work in (e.g. finfish, shellfish, seaweed)?

Helen: I have a background in marine biology, research and science communication, and I work in the Sustainability & Development sector at Scottish Sea Farms. About two years ago, I started looking for roles in the aquaculture industry because the sector has a lot of STEM opportunities for everyone, especially women. I'm hoping that in the future more opportunities will open up across the whole sector, especially seaweed and shellfish! 

Konstancja: I started out in marine biology, like many people who are fascinated by the ocean (and then you start the degree and discover most of your classmates are divers who grew up watching documentaries about sharks and dolphins…). Over time I became increasingly interested in the industries connected to the marine world and the sustainable use of marine resources, so the seafood sector felt like a natural fit. And lets be honest, I was also hoping it might be associated with better catering at conferences… (spoiler alert: it is. So much seafood!)

What does a typical day look like in your role, and what do you enjoy most about working in aquaculture?

Helen: Since working in the role, I've had lots of chances to use my skills to work on some of the challenges the industry is facing, and getting to talk about aquaculture and marine science to people in the industry is my favourite part! A typical day for me is working on environmental consents and compliance for our Scottish marine sites, and occasionally heading out on the boats for sampling.

Konstancja: A lot of my work is research and desk-based analysis. Summing up my day-to-day: reading, writing, and connecting different pieces of information about aquaculture: from its environmental impacts to how it is shaped by the surrounding environment, what makes it work, and where the challenges lurk.

One of the parts I enjoy most is engaging with people across the sector. I get to speak with farmers, researchers, and other experts and stakeholders. It’s fascinating (and often quite humbling) to hear their perspectives and learn more about the sector, how it evolved, how different parts connect, and where it might go next (and that is of particular interest if you are an ECR!).

What advice would you give to other women considering a career in aquaculture?

Helen: I would definitely recommend following aquaculture companies on social media to find inspiration from other women who already work there. Maybe I'm biased but I would also recommend getting involved in YAS and WiSA to meet like-minded people to start building your network! 

Konstancja: Be persistent, be yourself, and approach the sector with confidence. Don’t assume you won’t belong, just enter it as if it’s the most natural place for you to be. In my experience, the aquaculture community is full of people who are passionate about what they do and generally very willing to share knowledge and support others coming into the field. Everyone keeps saying we need more young people after all!

Is there a woman in your sector who inspires you or has influenced your journey that you’d like to recognise this International Women’s Day?

Helen: I'd love to give a shout-out to Rhianna Rees, CEO of Seaweed Scotland, for all her help as a mentor last year. The seaweed industry has a lot of potential in Scotland and I'm looking forward to all the opportunities it will give to women and young people in sustainable aquaculture in the future! 

Konstancja: I’ve been very fortunate to meet several inspiring women early in my career who have offered guidance and support. In particular, Suzanne Bricker from NOAA has provided a great deal of mentorship and advice and that support has been incredibly valuable and has definitely encouraged me to continue my journey with aquaculture. Experiences like that show how important it is to be open to connecting with people and building networks, also outside of ‘work talk’ and sometimes outside of your main field. Those relationships can make a real difference as you find your way in the sector.

⁠Are there any initiatives, mentoring schemes or networks that have supported you along the way?

Helen: YAS and WiSA have given me a lot of support in the start of my career and I've joined the YAS committee this year to help give some of that support back to anyone who needs it. 

Konstancja: While I have not encountered and official mentoring scheme, I’ve learned that aquaculture is a surprisingly small world. If you show curiosity, ask questions, and occasionally appear where seafood is being served, you’ll likely find generous people willing to share their knowledge and help you along the way.

Left: Helen Fergusson Right: Konstancja Woźniacka

Thank you so much to Helen & Koni for answering these questions and sharing their experiences with us, hopefully this inspires you as much as it did for us!

If you would like to create a blog for us or you're attending an event you think we'd be interested in hearing about then please let us know by email at: young.aqua.soc@gmail.com - we would love to feature what our members are getting up to all across aquaculture!