A growing diversity of aquaculture producers is bringing knowledge of farming, farm practices and food cultures from around the world to help meet the growing demand for seafood.
Men have traditionally dominated seafood harvesting but this stereotype is being challenged by Totten Inlet and Skookum Inlet farm manager Aisha Prohim as she enters her thirteenth year at Taylor Shellfish in Washington State.
Harvesting shellfish can require long hours on boats or in the mud. “I often get down and dirty harvesting in the mud with my crew. We work while many of you are still sleeping,” explained Aisha, whose work schedule is dictated by the tide.
“I sometimes work the high tide because I have guys who will work at those times operating our work boats to either harvest, spread transplants or help other departments, so there’s a lot of communication and management involved,” she added.
Aisha began her shellfish career during the cold winter months, when picking happens at low tide at 3am, and is now farm manager. She points to her journey to the United States as a Cambodian refugee during the Khmer Rouge as key to her resilience. “I push myself to succeed to prove that I am able and capable,” she said.
Since entering the aquaculture industry Aisha has seen the diversity and inclusion grow but says there are still people who are surprised to see a petite woman on a farm. “But they all listen and respect me,” she said.
