This paper is intended to demonstrate the progress of our on-going project. The core aims of the project Women in Fisheries project are to offer a basis for identifying how equality of opportunity for women can be achieved within the industry and in influencing its future regulation. Key elements of this are the role of women in improving the economic efficiency of businesses, their contribution to the social fabric and sustainability of the fisheries and the coastal communities as well as their interaction with management authorities or organisations at the local, national and EU levels. The project is intended to provide a basis for creating and fostering networks and opportunities for exchanging experience and best practice. The proposal that led to this study is based on a hypothesis that women’s role and contributions to the fishing industry in England, as in other parts of the world, are under-recognised, nearly invisible in many cases, and that action is needed to address this.