Watching the Waters | Christi Campbell Smith '11

I grew up in New Jersey and was eager to explore a new area for college. Hood College caught my eye, especially with its unique Coastal Studies program. A visit to Frederick sealed the deal for me—I was instantly charmed by the quaint, small-town feel mixed with rich history and proximity to Baltimore and DC. As the daughter of a history teacher, my childhood was filled with trips to places like Frederick, it did not take long to decide I was heading to Hood. 

Some of my favorite memories revolve around the simple, everyday moments that made college life so special. I fondly look back at laughing with friends in the dining hall—those two-hour weekend brunches pure joy. My Coastal Studies semester was an absolute blast; we traveled all over the Chesapeake Bay watershed region. I’ll never forget the fun times at Deep Creek Lake and the adventurous experience on an oyster schooner tall ship, trying to slurp live oysters while some of us audibly struggled! 

A quote from President Volpe has stayed with me: “We are preparing Hood graduates for jobs that do not even exist today.” That forward-thinking mindset resonates when I think of my current career. Ultimately, the spirit of collaboration and the warm, friendly "Hood Hello" culture strengthened my ability to connect with diverse stakeholders in my international projects, more than any one fact I learned in class. 

When I think of influential professors, Dr. Drew Ferrier immediately comes to mind. His passion for ecology and understanding systems inspired me to adopt a similar lens in my career in fisheries data management. Dr. Eric Annis introduced me to hands-on marine science jobs, channeling my love for marine science and precise data collection. He led me to the idea of commercial fisheries observing, which kickstarted my career. 

After graduation, I dedicated my time to offshore work as a commercial fishery biologist on scallop vessels, gillnet vessels, and groundfish trawlers. This experience led to roles with the US Army Corps of Engineers as a Dredged Material Inspector in the NY Harbor and as a Protected Species Observer on projects like the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement. Now, I’m working internationally in the realm of fisheries and crew welfare electronic monitoring, thanks to the solid foundation and inspiration I received at Hood. 

In simple terms, my work focuses on supplying the data to find the right balance between utilizing fisheries and protecting marine life. This data is crucial for scientists and statisticians to create models which help determine the optimal fishing levels. 

Traditionally, we’ve deployed scientists on boats to gather this data, which can sometimes be risky. However, electronic monitoring is becoming a popular alternative. By using cameras and sensors, we can collect detailed records of fishing activities without needing to send observers offshore. These systems don’t replace at-sea scientists entirely since they can’t collect biological samples, but they can offer a safer cost-effective solution for monitoring remote ports, small vessels, and areas that observer programs are impossible to establish. Plus, they eliminate the risk of intimidation or falsification of records. 

In the US, there are already a few regulatory programs in place. With the growing affordability of Starlink satellite data, my team and I are now developing similar programs in Africa, Central and South America. These programs not only help evaluate fishing practices but also assess the welfare conditions of the crew. For the first time, this data is providing scientists with a clear picture of what is truly being caught, harvested, or discarded at sea. Reliable data is essential for making informed decisions on which areas to protect, where fishing can continue, and how many vessels should be allowed in a fishery, ensuring sound and sustainable management practices. 

We are the sum of our choices. Each time you choose to purchase local, wild-caught seafood instead of international farm-raised or wild-caught fish, you make a positive impact. Supporting U.S. fisheries means you're choosing seafood that has been responsibly monitored and harvested without overfishing. You can trust that it is genuinely the species it's advertised to be. 

On the other hand, until monitoring improves, supporting international farmed and wild-caught seafood can come with risks. These products might come from overfished waters, have questionable crew welfare standards, interact negatively with protected species, or was grown with fishmeal produced in harmful ways. Look for the signature seal of organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) when buying packaged fish who verify sustainable practices, and don't hesitate to ask your fishmonger questions about the source of the fish. 

Additionally, eating lower on the food chain is better for you and the planet. Choosing species that replenish quickly, like squid, has a smaller environmental impact. While longer-lived predatory fish such as swordfish are delicious, they can bioaccumulate higher levels of environmental toxins, and each fish harvested has a greater impact on its population. 

So, support local fisheries, for example ask your grocery store to carry U.S. wild-caught shrimp, and pay the extra couple of bucks for it. Think about what crew welfare would look like for bargain priced seafood. Your choices do add up, and you can make a significant difference. 

Give yourself as many opportunities as possible to get hands-on field experience. Instead of taking summer jobs that don't add to your resume, look for organizations that align with your career interests and stay in touch with them as you move into the workforce. Keep an open mind and let your skills and opportunities guide you toward your niche. Starting with a very specific end goal can limit your search, potentially causing you to miss out on great opportunities and experiences you might enjoy. 

Remember, folks in fisheries often come up through the ranks from challenging at-sea or field experiences. Developing grit and resilience is essential. Your experiences in the field will earn you respect within the industry and from your peers. Plus, you'll create lifelong memories of places that most people never get to see.