What first drew you to science, fisheries, or the ocean?
I have always loved exploring and living on a small island the ocean was always at my fingertips. Putting on goggles and diving into the underwater world was always exciting because I never knew what I would find. I once got an oceans book for my birthday filled with facts and challenges the ocean faces and from then I wanted to pursue this path.
What part of your work makes you feel proud or hopeful?
Barbados is currently undergoing a Marine Spatial Plan and we need to gather alot of data to inform this process. Recently, we have conducted cetacean surveys with the Caribbean Cetacean Society and bathymetric surveys of our EEZ onboard the RV Celtic Explorer. I felt proud to be a pioneer in these scientific studies, strengthening my scientific knowledge and addressing data gaps for Barbados.
Is there a woman in science, locally or globally, whose story has inspired you?
The Chief Fisheries Officer of the Barbados Fisheries Division, Dr.Shelly-Ann Cox is a woman in science who has vision, the ability to execute and commendable stakeholder engagement strategies to build the fishing industry from the bottom up. During her tenure, she has transformed the industry by implementing digital technologies such as VMS and EMS and also passed a new “Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development Act” modernizing the legislative framework to support laws to improve traceability, data accuracy and conservation. Above all, she has great leadership skills and a graceful personality that result in Fisheries Division team and the industry showing respect, for the leader that she is.
What message would you share with girls considering a career in science or fisheries, especially those who may doubt they belong?
Even though these fields are heavily male-dominated, just do it. Do it scared, do it when you feel the imposter syndrome coming on, do it because you want to and at the end of the day you will be proud of yourself for being brave.
