Want to Make Fisheries More Diverse and Inclusive? Tell New Stories

Creating a diverse and inclusive fisheries profession requires telling new stories. While we revere the well‐known pioneers in our profession, we must expand beyond them. New stories, like those in my book, Nature’s Allies, show that conservationists come from all walks of life, proving that anyone and everyone can be a member and leader in our field. For example, the life of Billy Frank Jr., a Native American fisherman from western Washington, shows how his passion for salmon and for Native Americans’ legitimate treaty fishing rights led to a revolution in fisheries management in the Pacific Northwest. To achieve diversity and inclusion, we must (1) confront our implicit biases, (2) recruit from different sources and communities, and (3) tell stories and show pictures of diverse people and activities.