Gender issues in the Portuguese fishing communities

An article by Nuno Miguel Costa

The Portuguese fishing communities were characterised by the long absence of men, who spent many months on the fishing campaigns in Newfoundland. This situation led the women to develop a fundamental role within their communities, their homes and families, becoming essential in the good functioning of the cod fishing industry. In this article, Dr Nuno Miguel Costa explores the role of women in relation to cod fishing and how it has been affected by the Portuguese political and social context.