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Photos: Moroccan fisherwomen break tradition, venture into deep waters

In the village of Belyounech in Morocco, a group of 19 women has become the country’s female artisanal fishing cooperative, entering a profession that has always been dominated by men. Of the 19 women in the Belyounech cooperative, only four had previously made money from their catch. The cooperative, the members of which have undergone two years of training, hopes to earn money from the fish for the first time. However, these women continue to face opposition from men.

Updated on: Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM IST

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Saida Fetouh, Fatima Mekhnas and Fatiha Naji, members of the first Moroccan female fishing cooperative go out to sea in a fishing boat, in the village of Belyounech on the coast of the Mediterranean, northern Morocco. Fisherwomen in Moroccan coastal villages are breaking through boundaries into the male-dominated world of fishing. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

Updated on Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM

Saida Fetouh, Fatima Mekhnas and Fatiha Naji, members of the first Moroccan female fishing cooperative go out to sea in a fishing boat, in the village of Belyounech on the coast of the Mediterranean, northern Morocco. Fisherwomen in Moroccan coastal villages are breaking through boundaries into the male-dominated world of fishing. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

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The women in the village of Belyounech have long mended fishing nets or helped their husbands fish, and they've yearned for decades for a spot of their own on a fishing boat in the Mediterranean. Now the North African country's first female fishing cooperative is pushing its small fishing boats into the blue sea. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

Updated on Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM

The women in the village of Belyounech have long mended fishing nets or helped their husbands fish, and they've yearned for decades for a spot of their own on a fishing boat in the Mediterranean. Now the North African country's first female fishing cooperative is pushing its small fishing boats into the blue sea. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

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Fishermen hang out in a coffee shop in the village of Belyounech. “Men didn’t like the fact that a woman is at sea fishing,” said Fatiha Naji, who was forced to become a fisherwoman, and endure insults, after her husband lost his job as a street vendor when the border closed. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

Updated on Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM

Fishermen hang out in a coffee shop in the village of Belyounech. “Men didn’t like the fact that a woman is at sea fishing,” said Fatiha Naji, who was forced to become a fisherwoman, and endure insults, after her husband lost his job as a street vendor when the border closed. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

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Fetouh, left, and Mekhnes are seen in their home with their daughters, in Belyounech on the coast of the Mediterranean, northern Morocco. “For two years, we’ve been giving women all the necessary training so they can fish safely and professionally and know how to keep themselves from harm’s way,” said Thami Mechti, who works at the National Maritime Popularisation Centre in Laarache. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

Updated on Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM

Fetouh, left, and Mekhnes are seen in their home with their daughters, in Belyounech on the coast of the Mediterranean, northern Morocco. “For two years, we’ve been giving women all the necessary training so they can fish safely and professionally and know how to keep themselves from harm’s way,” said Thami Mechti, who works at the National Maritime Popularisation Centre in Laarache. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

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Members of the first Moroccan female fishing cooperative prepare fishing nets to go to sea. Of the 19 women in the Belyounech cooperative, only four had previously made money from their catch. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

Updated on Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM

Members of the first Moroccan female fishing cooperative prepare fishing nets to go to sea. Of the 19 women in the Belyounech cooperative, only four had previously made money from their catch. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

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Fishing nets prepared by members of the first female fishing cooperative are seen near a beach. The North African country's first female fishing cooperative, will after two years of training, hope to earn money from the fish for the first time. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

Updated on Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM

Fishing nets prepared by members of the first female fishing cooperative are seen near a beach. The North African country's first female fishing cooperative, will after two years of training, hope to earn money from the fish for the first time. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

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Fishing boats are stationed at a beach in Belyounech. The village is located at the foot of Mount Moses, cut off from the world except for a side facing the sea and overlooking the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, seven kilometre to the east. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

Updated on Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM

Fishing boats are stationed at a beach in Belyounech. The village is located at the foot of Mount Moses, cut off from the world except for a side facing the sea and overlooking the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, seven kilometre to the east. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

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A catch of fish is displayed for customers to buy in a market in Belyounech. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

Updated on Mar 10, 2020 3:13 PM

A catch of fish is displayed for customers to buy in a market in Belyounech. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP)

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