First woman deckhand for Mowi Scotland

Salmon farmer Mowi Scotland has appointed its first full-time female deckhand. Eleanor Lawrie joined as a farm technician but is now part of a workboat crew, operating along the west coast.

Lawrie said: “It wasn’t easy breaking into the boating side of fish farming but from the first time I was sent to cover a shift I knew that it was what I wanted to do and I was determined to get there. Within aquaculture workboat positions are very competitive so the challenges I’ve had to overcome have only made me work harder and want it more. There is something new every day and I am learning so much that I’d never even dreamed of. Getting the opportunity to travel up and down the west coast of Scotland is definitely an added bonus!”

Mowi’s stated ambition is to achieve a 50/50 employee gender ratio by 2025. Currently women hold 39.5% of positions at Mowi. Women make up 25% of the company’s leaders, with recruitment and training programmes in place aiming at a target of 30% female leaders by 2025.

Eleanor Lawrie added: “I’ve read only 1.2% of the whole maritime industry are female which needs to change and I’m excited to be a part of that change. I hope that as time goes on we do see more women in the maritime industry and that my story might inspire more women to make the jump! Maybe somebody might race me to become Mowi’s first female skipper!”

Eleanor Lawrie, Mowi Scotland