In January, we announced the winners of the Women of Fisheries Gives Back! Award for early career fisheries scientists. Although we were only able give out two awards, the applicants were excellent and we highlighted a few of their unique journeys and experiences in February. Here are a few more profiles of some amazing early career women in fisheries science! Both of these women were destined to play with fish since childhood – read on for some fun fish stories.

From early career to retired fisheries scientists, we would love to feature and amplify your experiences! Please fill out our Women of Fisheries Profile form to be featured individually in a future blog post!

Carissa Gervasi

One of my earliest childhood memories is of fishing with my dad. Whenever it rained, I would excitedly collect earthworms in an old Folger’s coffee tin from the backyard to use as bait, and my dad would take us out on a lake in his small metal skiff to fish for largemouth bass. One of the things I love most about fisheries science is that it’s not just about science or nature, but it’s also very much about people. For so many people around the world, fishing is a career, a livelihood, a social event, and a cultural heritage. When I saw the opportunity to apply for an undergraduate research fellowship that would pair me with a fisheries science professor my sophomore year of college, I jumped on it. That first research experience was amazing. I spent my summers in the beautiful Narragansett Bay, pulling seine nets and discovering the wonders below the water’s surface. I had no doubt in my mind that my next step would be a Master’s degree, and I was incredibly fortunate to be accepted as a student at the prestigious Virginia Institute of Marine Science. I learned so much during my time there, from population dynamics and coding in R to fish dissections and shellfish pathology. Two years into my degree, I was offered a job in the fish and shellfish pathology lab, working as the histology technician. I loved my job. I got to run my own lab, keep track of equipment, and help diagnose diseases that could have a significant impact on our local fisheries. I finished my degree while working full time, and then continued working in the pathology lab for another year. At that point, I started to feel like something was missing. I was doing great and important work in my job, but I never got to see how my work made a difference. I published a paper from my Master’s work, which was really exciting, but I felt like it wasn’t making enough of an impact. I realized I wanted to be on the front lines of fisheries management. I wanted to be where science was being used to elicit change. To protect the environment, help fishing communities, and ensure we can enjoy sustainable, fresh seafood into the future. Virginia SeaGrant offered me the opportunity to shadow a VIMS alum who was working at NOAA Fisheries headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was an incredible experience, and I knew right away that working for NOAA Fisheries would be my career goal. I went back to school to pursue my PhD, and focused my dissertation on conservation of the crevalle jack in Florida, a species currently perceived by the fishing guide community to be in decline. During my PhD, I was able to get my first taste of social science research, and realized the incredible benefits of working collaboratively with fishermen to advance research and management. The applied nature of my research opened the door for me to work with the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center as an employee with the University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies. I am currently working with the Ecosystem Science Lead and Branch Chief of the Social Science Research Group on some amazing research that uses social science methods to help inform Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management. I am so excited to continue developing my career and participating in actionable science that will help advance fisheries management.