CHENNAI: At the first national conference of Women Fisherfolk Union, which was conducted in the city recently, members said that the benefits that have been provided to the fishermen by the Fishermen Welfare Board, should be extended to women as well. S Chamundeshwari, state co-ordinator of the Union, said that the fisheries cooperative societies should encourage fisherwomen in self employment activities and trained in ornamental fish culturing. The welfare boards should seek suggestions from women while framing new laws and regulations and take into consideration their grievances instead of being biased, the members said. Fisherwomen, who would be eliminated from the cooperative societies after they are 60 years old, should be given pension, they said.