For our November Fish Sister profile, we would like to introduce you to Dr. Sara Turner, a statistician and our newest Women of Fisheries Board Member! She brings representation from the Northeast US (Massachusetts) and works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office. She processes fishery dependent data for management and also handles data requests for fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic. She has also been an active member of the private Women of Fisheries FaceBook group and organized several virtual meetups to build community and discuss issues pertinent to mothers working in the fisheries field. We look forward to her input and leadership on future endeavors.
We are still looking for additional Women of Fisheries board members, so if you would like to be considered, please fill out a self-nomination form!
CURRENT POSITION(S):
I am a Statistician with NOAA.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK/RESEARCH:
I process fishery dependent data for quota monitoring and handle data requests for fishery data from the Northwest Atlantic.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN FISHERIES?
I have been working in fisheries for 14 years. After finishing my BS, I worked as a field technician for MA Division of Marine Fisheries for 2.5 years on three different projects (mostly sampling diadromous fish).
After that, I went to grad school at SUNY ESF where I earned a Ph.D. and concurrent Master of Public Administration (Syracuse University). My dissertation used natural tags to distinguish river herring populations and identify migration patterns.
After grad school, I worked for a year as a post-doc with NOAA, where I used species distribution models to try to reduce incidental river herring catches in commercial fisheries.
Before my current position, I worked for the state of Massachusetts for almost 6 years as a diadromous biologist, overseeing biological monitoring and collaborating on habitat restoration projects. I have been in my current position working for NOAA for a few months.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD?
My interest in aquatic science started in 4th grade, when I had the opportunity to attend a marine science summer camp (from 4th-9th grade). From the first summer, I decided I was going to be a marine biologist when I grew up. My career in fisheries started with seasonal field technician positions after I earned my Bachelor’s degree (after applying for MANY positions). That was when my interest started to really focus on fisheries, and I was introduced to the fisheries profession.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MENTOR OR ROLE MODEL?
I have been fortunate to have had some great women in my professional life at some critical transitions. When working as a technician, I had major imposter syndrome and the trust and support of one of my supervisors really gave me confidence that I could succeed; she also helped me understand how to find a graduate program. In grad school, I was lucky to have an advisor who really helped me grow as a research and fisheries professional.
WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
My mom – she has always been there to support me and encourage me and never ever doubted I could do anything! She also raised my sister and I on her own for most of our lives and showed us what a strong, independent woman was. I know that watching her handle working full time and raising two kids alone is why I have never questioned my capabilities.
WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN?
The best advice I’ve gotten is to go for opportunities I want, even when I don’t think I am qualified. You never know what the folks making decisions are looking for! It is always better to try (for a job, grant, scholarship, whatever) and not get it than to wonder “what if?”
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW WOMEN ENTERING THE FIELD?
Build a strong network, and don’t hesitate to use it. Early in my career, I wanted to “do it on my own”, but have learned how important using your network is to developing skills and finding (and getting) new opportunities! It isn’t taking the easy way, because you have to work hard to gain someone’s respect to give you a good recommendation!
Also, take every opportunity you can, every experience is valuable and every risk is worth it even if it only teaches you a lesson or shows you what you don’t want. You will almost always regret not taking a risk on something that might not work out or is scary!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING IN FISHERIES?
All the great people I’ve met! I have friends all over the country that I have met during grad school, through different jobs, and at conferences.
WHAT WAS THE COOLEST EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD WHILE WORKING IN FISHERIES?
During grad school I was able to volunteer to help with another project our lab was working on and got to camp in the Grand Canyon for 3 weeks while helping with research and monitoring! We got to help with different kinds of sampling gears and lots of tagging methods, and work with an endangered species!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FISH?
I am going to go with a controversial choice and say sea lamprey. First runner up, the severely undervalued tomcod. I suppose I will always have a special place in my heart for diadromous fish, no matter what my job!
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE?
I am really excited to join the Women of Fisheries Board and work with and meet all the great women in the group! Please reach out to me if there’s something specific you think I can do for the members of the group!