This year’s Aquaculture Careers 2025 event (March 6, 2025) had an extra layer of significance as we marked International Women’s Day (March 8th) with a special session featuring Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA). The session put a spotlight on the role of women in the industry, their achievements, and the challenges they have faced along the way.

We were lucky to have Rhianna Rees (CEO of Scottish Seaweed Industry Association) and Irene Pozo (Talent Manager at Scottish Sea Farms) join us as speakers. Each of them brought a different perspective,

The WiSA session was a key moment in the programme, reinforcing our commitment to diversity and inclusion in aquaculture. As we listened to their journeys, it was clear that mentorship, collaboration, and perseverance are crucial for advancing women’s roles in the field.

Rhianna and Irene also spoke about their own experiences, covering everything from working in industry to navigating career shifts and finding the right opportunities. Hearing about their successes—and the obstacles they overcame—sparked some discussion, with an MSc student asking thoughtful questions and engaging in honest conversations about what it takes to thrive in aquaculture.

Then, we had Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), who shared her journey from growing up in a small fishing community on the Isle of Mull to leading one of the country’s key industry organisations. With a background in science and policy, she spoke about the importance of strong leadership, evidence-based decision-making, and standing firm in a sector that is still very male-dominated. Her insights were direct, practical, and full of valuable advice for anyone looking to build a career in the field. She provided lots of much needed insight in the world of Fisheries, which was a nice change from all of the aquaculture talks.

Beyond the session itself, these conversations continued throughout the day. Whether over coffee or during networking breaks, people shared their own experiences, asked about career options, and reflected on what they had learned. Marking International Women’s Day in this way was a reminder of why representation is important. It is not just about celebrating achievements—it is about making sure the next generation knows what is possible. Thanks to WiSA and Elspeth, Careers’ Day organising Committee and everyone who took part for making this such a worthwhile and engaging session.