In Atlantic Canada, despite having one of the most advanced (and expensive) fisheries management systems in the world, we have driven our greatest fishery – the northern cod- to commercial extinction. This has caused the loss of jobs and identity for tens of thousands of fishworkers and widespread agony in coastal communities where, for generations, the fishery had been the backbone of the local economy, social networks and culture. One of the unexplored, largely invisible factor as suggested by this report, is the absence of women and young people in the ‘advanced’ management systems, the effects of these absences are inestimable. This research report, focuses on who should be at the table, making decisions. The people interviewed, also raise questions such as how can the management system incorporate the wisdom and experience of fishers who have spent decades on the water and fishing families who have incredible knowledge and insight from the shore, how to remove politics from decision-making and how to build on a new system that takes into account the impacts of management decisions on people who depend on fishing? The reports aims to raise awareness and understanding of women’s contribution to the fishery, recommend ways to make fisheries management more inclusive and effective, inspire and empower women who want to take their place at the management table and strengthen the social economy organizations working in the fisheries sector.