The 19/AC fishing vessel, 20.80m long, was launched in 2018 and operates from Rawson, supplying Iberconsa

Ayelén dreams of an all-female shrimping crew

ARGENTINA
Monday, December 09, 2024, 00:20 (GMT + 9)

Ayelén Lecumbarry, who comes from a long line of fishermen in Rawson, Chubut, is the one behind this innovative proposal

Ayelén has submitted a study she designed herself to obtain the necessary permits to operate a boat dedicated to artisanal trawl fishing, with a crew composed entirely of women. Asreported by Marcelo Muchi for El Provincial, this project could become the first of its kind at the national level.

Ayelén, born in Necochea, Buenos Aires Province, moved to Rawson in 1993 with her family. “My grandfather worked on a boat from Puerto Rawson, the fishing vessel Don Francisco,” she proudly recalls. Since then, her life has been closely tied to the maritime world.

In its early days, fishing in the region focused mainly on hake, but things changed dramatically in 2003 with the rise of shrimp fishing. “That time marked an important recovery for the port’s fishing activity,” Ayelén remembers.

In 2005, her grandfather retired from the F/V 'Don Francisco', which was replaced by the F/V 'Diego Fernando'. This transition also marked the beginning of her father’s active involvement in the fishing industry. As a child, Ayelén often accompanied her father on the boats and at the docks, learning about the trade firsthand. Despite continuing her studies, she would help during her free time, demonstrating a passion for the industry that only grew over the years.

In 2018, Ayelén and her husband sought to obtain a permit for trawl fishing in Zone 2. Although they met all the legal requirements, their request went unanswered. Undeterred, she recently presented a new project to provincial authorities, featuring a groundbreaking idea: a fishing vessel crewed exclusively by women.

This unprecedented proposal in Argentina is currently under review, and a decision from the provincial authorities is expected before the end of the year.

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