All-female tuna fishing crew aim to inspire others

The women have travelled from as far as West Wales and Northumberland to take part.

The first all-female Atlantic Bluefin tuna fishing crew to launch from Salcombe has set sail.

The crew, comprised of women from marine charities, female skippers, and even a member of Team England Angling had the goal of inspiring other women to join the industry.

Hannah Rudd, head of marine at the Angling Trust said: "There are so many different career options for so many different interests, whether you want to go into policy, be a scientist, work in recreational fishing, there are so many opportunities to work with the sea."

The event was organised by Devon Young Fishers and Salcombe Angling, with support from UK Women in Fisheries.

13-year-old Lilly and 16-year-old Evie have been inspired by the event.

The crew set off on Wednesday morning and were expected to be fishing until about 17:00 BST.

All the tuna were line-caught and then released.

Skipper Emma Evans said they had all been CHART trained which is a scientific data collection programme for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, to make sure they knew how to "manage the gear and check the fish are nice and healthy".

Two of the people involved in the event were 13-year-old Lilly and 16-year old Evie.

Lilly, who wants to be a fisher when she is older, said: "It's exciting and a bit nerve-racking but it will be good to meet so many people who know what they are doing."

Evie, who is hoping to be a marine biologist added: "Meeting so many incredible women who do so many things in marine science and in fishing, and knowing it's not just a dream, it can be a reality".

"I know it can be done, because I am meeting the proof", she added.