For this month’s Fish Sister profile, we would like to introduce you to Maggie Gaither.
Maggie is an early career scientist and master’s student studying American Shad in North Carolina. Although she started out with a goal of being a veterinarian, she chose “fins over fur” and hasn’t looked back. Read on to learn about what “Type II fun” is and why you should have more of it!
We would love to feature and amplify your experiences in a Fish Sister Profile! Please fill out our Women of Fisheries Profile form to be featured in a future blog post!
CURRENT POSITION(S):
M.S. Assistant, Wildlife and Fisheries, Clemson University
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK/RESEARCH:
Currently I am working on American Shad diadromous fish passage over low-head lock and dams (LDs) on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. I use acoustic telemetry on a broad scale to track this species over the largest nature-like fishway east of the Mississippi at LD1, and through locks and environmental dam submergence flows for LD2 and LD3. Their populations have remained depleted after historical overfishing due to barriers such as dams built in the early to mid 1900s that limit American Shad access to their historical spawning grounds. My other project is a tag mortality and retention study on 80 adult American Shad for 12 weeks (84 days) that pairs up with the spawning migration of this species. I used the the same type of V9 tags I utilized in the field to see if tag effects are truly minimal in a species that is particularly sensitive to handling.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN FISHERIES?
3 years, heavily for 2
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD?
Long Story:
During my junior year in 2021, I was at the University of South Carolina bookstore to buy a book for a pre-vet course I did not want, but was biting the bullet because this class was going to fulfill some biology and mathematics requirements. The cashier that was cashing me out noticed which book I was purchasing and had stated that was the top class she wanted, but did not get. I ask her what she ended up with and it was aquaculture. After her shift we switched! In that class, I had watched a documentary where I learned 1) you could get paid for a position to work with fish and wildlife (albeit not that much, but that’s not why we do it), and 2) females can do it. I only ever saw males in these positions when younger fishing with my father. I changed course from becoming a high school algebra teacher to a position that will allow me to teach and learn with others in other ways and probably touch a few more fish in the process.
Short Story:
As we all say, we grew up in the outdoors and our love for it led us to want to preserve it for future generations. For no reason other than a preference for fin over fur I chose to work with fishies.
WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
Aaron Bunch
- He was the PhD student on the project before I was. He has so much experience, both about life and in the field.
- He works very hard to recognize those he cares about because he does not take anyone’s life for granted.
- I am so much closer to breaking the habit of saying “sorry.” I am more confident of who I am as a biologist and a female. I think it takes someone having a little more faith in you than you did at that moment.
- and many many more things. I feel the feelings, but the words are hard right now.
WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
My best friend’s mom. “You are worthy. You are cared for. You are loved.” I think this allows me to accept failure and know it is not the end of the world, accolades without brushing them off, and in general to keep persevering. I think it helps me love people and all of the critters a little bit better than before.
WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN?
There will come a point where you will think you are fighting a losing battle (global warming, invasives, etc.), but what you’re doing has a purpose. YOU have a purpose and are worthy of fulfilling that role.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW WOMEN ENTERING THE FIELD?
Be aware of your unintentional systemic biases against women, even though you are a female yourself. It can affect interactions with others, the jobs you go for, and maybe impact who you hire in the future, subconsciously or not.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING IN FISHERIES?
Type II fun: Definition: Sometimes in the moment it is really tough, but it makes it that much more fun and the sleep better afterwards. (Bugs, sunburns, sweat, SHAD SLIME, falling out of boats, holding the net at the metal part and getting shocked because you really wanted that redfin pickerel for your life list, the 4th pb and j sandwich, frozen hands while cutting trout adipose fins, trap netting in the freezing rain)
WHAT WAS THE COOLEST EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD WHILE WORKING IN FISHERIES?
How does anyone answer this question? My coolest experience is learning. I was working in the Santee Experimental Forest in Cordesville, SC conducting community samples for Aphanomyces invadans presence in Eastern Mosquitofish and other species within the watershed. The sheer diversity in an area that seems not so nutrient dense held American eels, bullheads, redfin pickeral, bluespot and spotted sunfish, pygmy sunfish, pirate perch (google their life history – their vent is near their “chin”), fireflies, water scorpions, tannic water. So many creatures to learn to love. It was also the first time I was ever a crew lead.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FISH?
YELLOW BULLHEAD THANK YOU FOR ASKING. Why? They have the best smiles and they have white “whiskers,” and have little “stars”/white dots on their heads, I am assuming used for sensory perception. I don’t know much about them, but I do know they make me smile. I ALWAYS ask this question as an ice breaker and this may be the first time it was asked to me first.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE?
Thanks for letting me talk to y’all. This brought me joy. Fun fact: I am one of those fish people who love fish and working for them, but the sport itself bores me to tears and I admire those who like to fish and catch, not just catch (like me).