It is estimated that about 23,000 people, or about 17 per cent of the population in Sao Tome and Principe are involved in the fisheries sector. Women play an important role in this work: buying fish directly from fishermen when they land, processing [drying, salting] the fish, transporting it and selling it. They are called palayes. They are often the wives of the fishermen. In addition to this, women may also raise and barter / sell surplus meat, chicken and eggs as well as grow vegetables and fruits. They are often powerful within the community and might even act as informal moneylenders to the fishermen. In addition, they might form associations to reduce operating costs through shared use of fish drying and bulk purchase of salt. Four main palayes associations are members of the national association of fishermen.