Surge of female students in fishing program at Herøy Upper Secondary School in Norway

Emily Verting is one of six girls enrolled in the Nature Use program at Herøy Upper Secondary School. The number of girls applying for the VG2 Fishing and Trapping course has significantly increased in recent years, driven by initiatives aimed at attracting more female participants through recruitment camps. Fisheries Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss supports this development, asserting that diversity and gender balance benefit all professions. Classmate Milla Longva has already set her sights on becoming a fisherman.

On her first day, Verting was surprised to find a larger cohort of girls than she expected. Currently, her class consists of six girls and eight boys—an unprecedented number for this program. “It’s really fun. I love Nature Use,” she exclaimed while preparing crab traps.

Data from the Norwegian Directorate for Education indicates a notable rise in female students choosing this path. In the 2012/2013 academic year, only 5 out of 122 students in VG2 Fishing and Trapping were girls, accounting for just 4 percent. However, for the 2024/2025 year, there will be 46 girls among 249 students, raising the percentage of girls to over 18.

At Ålesund Upper Secondary School, the VG2 Fishing and Trapping class comprises seven girls and seven boys for the first time, doubling previous counts. Nevertheless, girls remain outnumbered in the majority of other similar classes across Norway, reflecting an ongoing gender imbalance in fishing professions.

Educators, including Per-Ove Voldsund from Herøy, express joy over the increase in female representation, noting the positive impact of outreach initiatives. Both Verting and Longva are excited about their outdoor learning experiences and confident in their career aspirations within the fishing industry.