Norfolk's 'Female Fisherman' has seen her social media following boom as she continues to bang the drum for British seafood since winning a national award one year ago. 

Ashley Mullenger, 36, was crowned 'Fisherman of the Year' in the Fishing News Awards last May - the first time ever a woman had won the title.

Mrs Mullenger, who is based in Wells-next-the-Sea, said the flurry of media attention that has followed - including an appearance on Jeremy Vine’s Radio Two show - has given her the chance to promote British seafood. 

“The award has opened doors of opportunities for me,” she said.

“I’ve become more visible in the public space, radio, and TV which allowed me to talk about British seafood which we don’t eat enough of or is accessible to us."
 

Since winning the award Mrs Mullenger's Instagram channel called @thefemalefisherman, has seen its following increase by more than 1,500.

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She said she uses this platform to start conversations about issues important to her - from female empowerment to the fish we are buying from supermarkets.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Ashley Mullinger aka The Female FishermanAshley Mullinger aka The Female Fisherman (Image: (C) Archant 2021)

She said: “Local restaurants do a great job in buying local, but as consumers, we are used to eating out-of-season and non-regional fish, which I want to help address.

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“More Instagram followers have seen me, a woman doing a stereotypical man’s job and enjoying it and being accepted in it.”

Mrs Mullenger's said she would not be leaving the spotlight anytime soon, as she would appear in a BBC television series next year - but was tight-lipped about what it would be. 

Fakenham & Wells Times: Ashley Mullenger has been fishing commercially off the coast of Norfolk since 2018Ashley Mullenger has been fishing commercially off the coast of Norfolk since 2018 (Image: (C) Archant 2021)

And her award may also have paved the way for other women in the fishing industry. 

Emma Scott, who is based in South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, was crowned 'Trainee Fisherman Of The Year' at this year's Fishing News Awards.

Anyone who wants to buy fish directly from Mrs Mullenger can contact her through Instagram.