Today marks the inaugural International Fisher Women’s Day, a global call by the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) to recognize, honor, and celebrate the women who sustain fisheries, families, and coastal cultures worldwide.
For generations, fisher women have been central to the life, knowledge, and economy of fisheries—yet their work often remains invisible. Around the world, women make up more than half of all fishwork and nearly 90% of post-catch processing and trade. Today is about making that labor seen.
Here on the Oregon Coast, we’re proud to celebrate women-led organizations whose work strengthens our coastal communities and keeps our seafood heritage alive:
Charleston Fishing Families
A local nonprofit based in Charleston, this women-led organization supports commercial fishing families on the South Coast and fosters community outreach and education around Oregon seafood. They host the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service each Memorial Day to honor those in the fishing industry who have passed. Visit them in Charleston to chat, learn about the Charleston fleet, and shop local goods.
FishHer Columbia Pacific CommUNITY Alliance
Led by fisherman Amy Sharp, alongside Season Long and Shawna Beckman, FishHer empowers women to strengthen local commercial fisheries, families, and coastal waters. Their work—outreach, service, emergency response, and blue-economy initiatives—upholds the resilience of our working waterfronts. Follow them at @fishhercpca to learn more and support their mission.
Newport Fishermen’s Wives
Since the 1970s, this nonprofit of wives, mothers, daughters, and friends of commercial fishermen has been a cornerstone of community support. They lead seafood education, safety initiatives, advocacy, scholarships, and response efforts when tragedy strikes. Currently, they are accepting donations for the families of men recently lost at sea. Learn more or donate at newportfishermenswives.com.
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association and Oregon Seafare are working to keep more of our Oregon seafood local—and that starts with recognizing the people who make our coastal food systems work. We invite you to join us in celebrating the fisher women in your life: those who fish, who lead fleets and families, who carry generational knowledge, who protect our waters, who run businesses, who process and deliver our food, and who hold our communities together.
Here’s to the women who make Oregon’s seafood story possible.