Marilou Suc unique Journey into the Blue Economy – An inspiring example of how passion for sustainability, digital innovation, and inclusion can shape the future of aquaculture and the blue economy.
Based in Toulon, France, Marilou Suc studied political science and international business development, with a special focus on aquaculture. Her career took a decisive turn when she joined a Bluetech cluster – an innovation hub connecting researchers, institutions, and businesses in ocean technology. This experience ignited her passion for the blue economy.
Fascinated by the role of innovation in making marine resources and aquaculture more sustainable, she later joined a startup specializing in real-time water quality monitoring for fish farms. As a business development and marketing lead, she expanded international markets and adapted the technology to meet farmers’ needs, deepening her interest in aquaculture’s digital transformation.
Three years ago, she launched Blue Connection, a consultancy dedicated to fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration in the blue economy. More recently, she co-founded NOWA (Network of Women in Aquaculture) to address gender disparities in the sector. Though voluntary, the initiative is a personal passion project aimed at amplifying women’s voices and driving inclusivity in aquaculture.
In the next part of this article, you’ll find what Marilou had to say in our interview, sharing her insights and experiences in the world of aquaculture.
From Coastal Living to Innovation
“Living by the sea has profoundly shaped my perspective, reinforcing my awareness of how the ocean impacts the economy, environment, and society. Just minutes from my home, there are local fish farms producing sea bream, sea bass, oysters, and mussels. I love buying seafood directly from the producers—especially for making a delicious mussels marinara!”
Her professional journey has been equally transformative. Engaging with dedicated fish farmers and researchers has fueled her passion. She has explored diverse aquaculture facilities, from offshore cages and hatcheries to RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) and oyster farms, across Norway, French Polynesia, Corsica, Scotland, France, and Morocco. Witnessing these varied approaches strengthened her resolve to support the industry through technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
She is well aware of the criticisms facing aquaculture, from eutrophication to escaped fish, and is determined to drive change. Her focus is on equipping the sector with advanced tools, scientific research, and sustainable solutions – such as improved feeding systems, oxygenation technologies, and IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture), to minimize environmental impact.
“For me, aquaculture is not just about food production—it’s a cornerstone of global food security, job creation, and economic resilience. I believe it’s crucial to showcase success stories where innovation has transformed the industry, demonstrating its true value for both human health and economic well-being.”
With a strong entrepreneurial mindset, she thrives on identifying innovative solutions and business opportunities. For her, business development goes beyond profit – it is about fostering growth that benefits both people and the planet.
Breaking Barriers for Women in Aquaculture Leadership
“One of the biggest challenges I have faced is navigating an industry where female representation is still limited. While fields like research and marine biology have more women, roles in farming, policy, sales, innovation, and leadership remain largely male-dominated. Representation also varies depending on the country, region, and even the species—whether it’s salmon, shrimp, or algae.
At industry events, I often find myself one of the few, if not the only, woman in the room. A key moment for me was during an FAO training in Greece and Spain, where I saw firsthand how powerful it is when women connect, share expertise, and ask questions freely. That experience reinforced my belief in the importance of amplifying women’s voices in aquaculture.”
This led her to co-found NOWA (Network of Women in Aquaculture) to promote women’s contributions, raise awareness, and create opportunities. NOWA organizes campaigns, shares resources, offers training, and is launching a mentoring program. They also advocate for gender equity at institutional and global levels, believing that inclusion strengthens sustainability.
“For me, gender advocacy is about building strong networks. I openly share my experiences as a woman in aquaculture, speaking at events to inspire others. I truly believe that representation matters—when young women see female role models thriving in different areas of aquaculture, they are more likely to pursue careers in the field.
Encouraging women to study scientific disciplines like engineering, marine biology, and environmental sciences is also crucial. That’s why I emphasize the need for scholarships, mentorship programs, and university partnerships to help support their career paths.
I also see gender equality plans in aquaculture companies as essential. It’s important to ensure fair career opportunities, a better work-life balance, and stronger support for women returning from maternity leave. I believe adapting work conditions, including through technology, can make the industry more accessible and inclusive for everyone.”
Current Initiatives to Empower Women in Aquaculture
Through NOWA (Network of Women in Aquaculture), she is actively working on several projects aimed at supporting and empowering women in the sector.
One of the key initiatives is a campaign showcasing role models in aquaculture. This project focuses on highlighting the stories of women who are making an impact in the industry, providing inspiration and motivation for others to follow similar career paths.
She is also involved in developing a training and mentoring program. The goal of this initiative is to help women build their skills, expand their professional networks, and advance their careers through guidance from experienced professionals in the field.
Another important project she is working on is a job board dedicated to aquaculture. The purpose of this platform is to make it easier for women to find job opportunities and progress in their careers within the sector.
In addition, she and her team are creating a directory of women experts in aquaculture. This resource is designed to help organizations promote gender balance in events and communication by providing access to qualified female panelists and speakers, ensuring more diverse and inclusive discussions.
Beyond these projects, she is actively engaged in attending industry events to raise awareness about the challenges women face in aquaculture. She is also involved in researching barriers and gaps in the industry, conducting studies to better understand the needs of women in the field.
NOWA as a Network Born from a Shared Vision
It all started in Athens, in June 2023, during the “Empowering Women Towards Sustainable Aquaculture Development” program. This initiative was organized by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the FAO, the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), and the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO). They brought together a group of young female professionals in aquaculture to gain knowledge and hands-on experience. For her, that was a turning point. The energy, the shared passion, and the discussions with other women in the sector made it clear that there was a real need for a supportive network.
“The idea to create NOWA came naturally when I connected with three incredible women who shared the same vision: Gara from Spain, involved in a professional industry association; Christina from Greece, with a research and scientific background; Ilaria from Italy, focusing on policy, communication, and advocacy; and myself from France, bringing expertise in entrepreneurship, business, and innovation. Together, we saw the need for a network to address the challenges women face in aquaculture.
What really inspired us was realizing how underrepresented women are in this sector, especially in leadership roles. Women contribute significantly to aquaculture, yet their visibility and access to opportunities remain limited. During a program we attended, we saw firsthand how powerful it was for women to simply connect, share experiences, and support each other. That moment made us want to build something bigger and lasting.
That’s how NOWA was born. Our mission is to support women in the field, raise awareness about existing opportunities, and promote gender equality. We focus on three key areas: advocacy, competency development, and increasing visibility for women in aquaculture.”
Support NOWA by becoming a member, volunteering, or spreading the word. Learn more and join here: NOWA Membership. You can also follow them on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook to help raise awareness.
BlueTech Around the World
Marilou already had her consulting activities with Blue Connection and her volunteer role with NOWA, but she wanted to take things a step further. She wanted to share her passion for ocean innovation and blue technologies with a wider audience, which led to the idea of starting a podcast: BlueTech Around the World.
For her, it was about creating a platform to highlight success stories and innovations that are transforming the way people use and protect the ocean.
The podcast covers a wide range of innovations for and by the ocean. The first episodes focus on topics like ocean observation, coastal resilience, and offshore floating solar panels. The upcoming episodes will explore aquaculture, covering areas such as RAS, digitalization, and the use of AI in the sector. Through these discussions, she wants to showcase the diversity of the blue economy and inspire more people to get involved.
Another aspect that is particularly important to her is ensuring gender balance among the experts and speakers on the podcast. She emphasizes that there are many brilliant women in the field, but some may not feel legitimate or confident enough to step into the spotlight. To address this, she has made a conscious effort to feature more women experts and highlight their key role in ocean technology.
Marilou’s primary hope is that listeners learn something new and gain a fresh perspective on the opportunities within the maritime world. She wants them to understand that the ocean is not just a beautiful place – it is also a hub of incredible potential for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Advice for Women in Aquaculture: Build Networks, Promote Your Work, and Seize Opportunities
“My biggest advice is to build sisterhood—see other women as allies, not competition. Networking and creating a supportive community make a huge difference. Join associations like NOWA to share experiences, find mentors, and realize you’re not alone in facing challenges.
I believe in meritocracy, but I also know that results don’t always speak for themselves. Women must actively promote their work, highlight achievements, and ensure they are recognized. Self-branding and communication are just as important as competence.
I always tell women: trust in your strengths, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and explore new paths if one is blocked. Sometimes, the biggest opportunities come simply by asking.”
Her words of advice are: build your network, promote yourself, keep learning, and, most importantly, believe that you can do it—because you absolutely can!
Marilou Suc unique Journey into the Blue Economy
