meet marwa - the first ‘women in aquaculture’ scholarship recipient

Like so many industries, the seafood and aquaculture world needs to give women MORE opportunities to learn, grow, and lead.

At Kvarøy Arctic, we were proud to launch the first-of-its-kind “Women in Aquaculture” Scholarship to talented women worldwide last year.

This fully immersive learn/work experience focuses on eliminating boundaries and creating a hands-on opportunity for women building careers in aquaculture.

After the scholarship announcement, hundreds of applications flooded in from Africa, North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. In discerning a greater need, our team decided to extend an offer to three recipients:

● Marwa Mechlaoui from Tunisia, as our scholarship recipient

● Natalie Van Wyk from South Africa, who we asked to become a full-time employee on

our farm

● Hannah Krohn from the United States, for an internship on our farm

We’re also thrilled that Marwa will be on the selection committee for choosing our 2021 “Women in Aquaculture” scholarship recipient from Africa.

Last year, we invited her to the farm and got a chance to hear her thoughts on this scholarship and what it means to her!

What were your first thoughts when you found out that you were chosen to be part of the scholarship program?

When I first saw the scholarship announcement posted, I thought that this will be a great opportunity for me since in my homeland, women do not have an equal chance to shine in this field as men do. I saw myself shining and representing all women around the world who are handcuffed and held back.

For a moment, I could not believe that I was selected to be part of the program until I had my first call with Jennifer and was told that I was even the very first selected. That is such an honor to me, and I cannot wait to share more with you about my progress throughout the program.

I truly acknowledge the initiative of this scholarship for women to promote female talent in aquaculture, both in farms and research around the world. I am honored to become the pioneer of your mission.

Where and what are you currently studying? Why did you choose this subject?

I am currently a researcher doing my PhD studies in aquaculture; I am focusing on Atlantic salmon immunology and vaccine development. I am based at the Arctic University of Norway, in Tromsø, Northern Norway. I received my master’s degree in Spain in 2018 from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where my studies were also focused on aquaculture, in fish feeds specifically. I studied fish feed additives in sea bream and my objective was always to contribute to sustainable fish farming by developing a sustainable fish feed that will maximize the fish growth and welfare without altering the environment, and this is exactly what Kvarøy Arctic represents – they are the best example for that.

What are you excited about or eager to learn more about from Kvaroy Arctic?

As Kvarøy Arctic is an Atlantic salmon farm, we share the same interest in having a sustainable fish farm. I am excited to learn more about the different techniques the farm is using to produce a high quality fish in a high standard in all circumstances starting from fish feeding to the environment and local resources protection. I am so eager to learn about all the small details that take place at the farm, including the feeding formulation, feeding process, fish health maintenance and the final processing of the different products, from fillets to burgers and hot dogs.

Did you know anything about Kvaroy Island before this?

I came to learn about Kvarøy when I first saw the announcement about the scholarship for the Women in Aquaculture program. Then I started reading about the farm, and my interests deepened every time I learned something new about the industry.

Why was this such a great opportunity for you?

I am truly grateful to be the first winner selected for the scholarship program. I knew that this scholarship would support me during my PhD course and I would get the chance to travel to the U.S and receive the advantage of researching in laboratories, which is something I would not have done without this scholarship. This will definitely open up great opportunities for me to learn and earn new experiences.

Being a researcher and receiving this scholarship during my PhD has already provided me a platform to get the exposure I needed on the farm. I’m confident that I will be an ambassador to promote gender balance in this area. Such initiatives will definitely encourage women to choose this exciting field, while at the same time boosting companies’ confidence in us.

First Trip to Kvaroy

Share your excitement when you found out you would be able to visit the island and team before starting the program?

When I knew that I would be visiting the island and the team before starting the program, I got so excited because I knew that I would be learning a lot from a team with a rich work environment. The beauty of the island also tempted me and made me thirsty to see more.

Why was this important to do?

This was important to me from many different aspects; the most important one is that this experience will enrich my career, both the academic experience and the morals that I have learned working with such a humble and wonderful team. In addition, this was so important because I was given a chance to represent working women in my field, especially being from Africa where gender inequality is a big challenge.

Tell us about your journey to the island? How long did it take? Who was the most interesting person you met on the island and why?

My journey took 2 days in total, I arrived late in the evening and the CEO of the farm, Alf-Gøran Knutsen, was waiting for me and helped me get settled. The next morning, I had the chance to explore this farm and its values. It was quite interesting for me to meet Alf-Gøran in person. During my exploring day, we had good chats and I got to know him more, and he told me how he started to work in the industry.

He welcomed me and made me feel like a part of the farm already. He proudly introduced me to all the employees as a winner of the Women in Aquaculture scholarship program, and took me on a tour on the island. I was lucky to have exposure to the feeding time on site as Alf-Gøran explained the whole process with details and he made it so exciting. He also took it one-step further by inviting me to a dinner with his lovely family and we tasted the very delicious salmon burgers.

Was the island what you imagined it to be? Describe its beauty! What was the coolest thing you experienced on the farm? What has you eager to return and learn more during the summer?

I had some thoughts about the beauty of the island, as I am living on an island myself in the north of Norway. The island is small, but it has what anyone will need to live peacefully and happily, with the ability to enjoy the beauty of Norway’s nature.

It was exciting as well to see how Alf-Gøran is investing in the island, by creating a playground for the kids, along with many other entertainment facilities, with the Kvarøy sign and colors. The playground was still under construction when I left so I am looking forward to seeing how it will turn out to be next time.

Another thing that captured my attention was a boat museum that displayed a very old boat that belongs to the family. It was fascinating seeing the small island keeping the old spirit of being an aquaculture and fishing site alive.

Between the knowledge gained and the people I met, this experience was more than I could have ever hoped for, and I am looking forward to spending the internship with Kvarøy Arctic. I am sure that there is more to learn with them.