Chix Who Fish started in 2013 as a social media experiment to raise awareness about the lack of foul weather gear designed for women.

It has grown into a large community of women from multiple backgrounds, including various fisheries and regions, who advocate for women working in the commercial fishing and seafood industries and now includes a public community on Facebook, a blog and a partnership with Grundéns in developing its new line of gear cut for women.

I am proud to be hosting a Pacific Marine Expo panel of some of the founders of this group, as well as two representatives from Grundéns USA, who will be displaying their new foul-weather gear, called Sedna. One lucky audience member will win a set of gear at the close of the panel.

We will discuss the origin and future of the group, as well as its members’ collaboration with Grundéns in developing and testing its new designs. Join us at 3:15, Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the Expo’s main keynote stage in the East Hall (near the beer garden and the Fisherman’s Lounge).

Panelists will be:

Genevieve McDonald, founder of Chix Who Fish and captain of the Maine lobster boat Hello Darlin’ II

Claire Neaton, co-founder of Salmon Sisters and Alaska commercial fisherman

Nelly Hand, co-owner of Drifters Fish, salmon gillnetter out of Cordova, Alaska, on the Pelican

Kate Consenstein, owner of Rising Tide Communications, a consulting business that specializes in seafood, ocean and lifestyle brand opportunities. Kate grew up crewing for her dad at the family setnet site in Kodiak.

Mike Jackson, president of Grundéns USA, former Bering Sea crab fisherman

Eric Tietje, designer of the Grundéns Sedna line