Life in The Bahamas: An interview with Marine Scientist Dr Krista Danielle Sherman
BY MARGAUX MONFARED
Crystal clear turquoise waters encompass The Bahamas and support a wealth of marine habitats, from coral reefs to mangroves and seagrasses. Home to the third largest coral reef in the world, the marine environment is bustling with exotic life. Meet Dr Krista Danielle Sherman, the first female Bahamian scientist to achieve her PhD within the Marine Sciences, who works tirelessly to ensure these intricate ecosystems remain pristine for years to come. She has an incredible wealth of knowledge and more than a decade of experience working in research and marine conservation. Her current role at the Perry Institute for Marine Science involves ‘using science to guide decisions’ and she is at the forefront of leading research projects under the Fisheries Research and Conservation Program (FRCP). By working with fisheries, the local community, businesses and other NGOs, it is possible to support the successful policy and governance of key hotspots and species that are under threat. Not only is Dr Sherman an incredible scientist, whom regularly contributes to national projects, she is a role model to all aspiring marine scientists. Her determination, passion and positivity are amazing. When she is not snorkelling, free-diving, SCUBA diving or exercising, Dr Sherman loves to travel and explore different parts of the world and loves chocolate, good food, coffee and red wine!
Read below to find out more about Dr Sherman’s work with fisheries and protecting the critically endangered Nassau grouper. You can also follow her work on Instagram: @nassaugrouper242.
Ready to dive! Photo Credits: Devan Rottman
You’ve built your life around the ocean. What drew you to it in the first place?
I’ve been in the water ever since I was a baby, so it’s always felt natural and like home to me. I can’t imagine life without it! The ocean is my happy place – and I’m fortunate that I also get to work to help protect it and all the incredible species that live in it 24/7.
Underwater! Photo Credit: Rosie Poirier
You work with a variety of stakeholders to lead fisheries research and conservation programmes in the Bahamas. Can you describe the importance of this collaborative work?
Research and conservation do not occur in a vacuum. It’s very expensive, grant funding is difficult to obtain and there’s a ton of logistical planning that happens to execute it. I rely on collaborations with both local and international stakeholders to help maximize the productivity and effectiveness of the work I lead. In some instances, the information they provide is critical for developing the next steps (e.g. in locating active spawning or breeding sites for aggregating fish species or reporting outbreaks of diseases), or completing the work (e.g. sharing research equipment or helping to collect field data) and communicating the findings.
Part of your research includes protecting the critically endangered Nassau Grouper Species. Can you describe what has caused their decline?
Overfishing – particularly during the few months when this species breeds at annual fish spawning aggregations (large gatherings with other Nassau grouper) has driven significant declines in their populations in The Bahamas and many other countries in the Caribbean. FSAs happen at predictable times and sites that are often well-known to fishers, who are able to catch them easily without lots of effort.
Out on the research boat looking at Nassau grouper. Photo Credit: Rosie Poirier
How do you identify and protect essential habitats for this species?
Aside from the research I lead to monitor and assess fish spawning aggregations (breeding sites) for Nassau grouper, I work with my colleagues, scientific and conservation partners to monitor mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs and hard bottom areas. These are all essential habitats that Nassau grouper need and utilize throughout their life cycle as they mature from juveniles to adults. This work involves benthic, fish and coral surveys, habitat mapping and water quality assessments.
Conducting AGRRA surveys. Photo Credits: Rachel Miller
How do you use population genomics to identify changes of this species?
I use population genomics to figure out how genetically diverse and connected Nassau grouper populations within The Bahamas are and to explore how human activities impact their genetic health. To date, genomic data have provided evidence for fine-scale population substructure. Specifically, Nassau grouper from two islands - Exuma and Long Island appear to have genetic signatures that differ from other islands within the country and from a well-studied active spawning site. Selection acting on Nassau grouper may be helping to shape this pattern, but additional research is needed to verify this. Additionally, genetic research has revealed that Nassau grouper in The Bahamas have and are experiencing reductions in the number of breeding individuals contributing to successive generations and genetic bottlenecks. So, it is even more imperative that remaining stocks are managed sustainably.
Conducting Lab work in the molecular biology lab
Can you explain how you work with fisheries to effectively manage stock of Nassau Grouper in the Bahamas?
Stock assessments are a critical component for managing fisheries, especially those that can be easily overexploited – like Nassau grouper. We are integrating fisheries (i.e. commercial landings) data that the Department of Marine Resources for The Bahamas collates with fishery-independent data (e.g. abundance and size distribution and growth rates) to develop stock assessments that can be used to inform sustainable fishing practices while promoting recovery for this critically endangered species.
Releasing a processed Nassau grouper. Photo Credits: Shane Gross
Surgically implanting a transmitter into a Nassau grouper. Photo Credits: Giselle Dean
Why is it so important to engage the community with your work?
Communication and outreach are essential to affect behavioural change that supports policies aimed at protecting fisheries, ecosystems and ensuring food security. The work that we’re doing is directly beneficial for The Bahamas (and for improving the conservation status of threatened species). It’s important that people understand this, but also their role and value in helping with marine conservation – from the public as consumers, to fishers that depend on marine species for sustaining their livelihoods, to those that work in the tourism industry, educators, and those directly charged with enforcing national fishery regulations and managing marine species and ecosystems.
Can you describe some of the other research you are currently working on?
Examples of other projects I’m currently working on include habitat and species monitoring within marine protected areas, mangrove assessments and restoration following Hurricane Dorian, and the access and benefit sharing project that was designed to develop sustainable harvest strategies for Antillogorgia elisabethae – a gorgonian or soft branching octocoral that has been used extensively by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
Installing an acoustic receiver. Photo Credits: Tanya Kamerman
How do you hope your voice and work will influence others?
I hope my voice and work influences other people to respect and embrace marine science and conservation and appreciate the value of professionalism and a strong work ethic. I’m hopeful that my research will positively influence marine policy and management in The Bahamas. As a marine scientist, I strongly believe that science should form the basis or foundation of any management decision to ensure that important biological and ecological functions are met. This appears to be simple, but is a lot harder to do in practice because of funding deficits, capacity constraints, social and political considerations. I feel like the key to effectively managing fisheries and marine ecosystems is finding the right balance between these other elements through interdisciplinary approaches and sustained meaningful engagement with all relevant stakeholders. As a country, we have a tremendous amount of work to do in this area.
What other endeavours/hobbies/dreams are you pursuing? (if any)
Right now, I’m working towards fulfilling a long-term dream of building and owning my own home in one of the Family Islands in The Bahamas. Up until now, I have devoted most of my energy and personal resources to my education and career and now I want to redirect some of that for my personal growth and well-being.
What is one thing you wish someone had told you/taught you a long time ago?
Conservation is an exceedingly difficult and long process and will require an immense amount of patience and persistence.
Whose work has influenced and inspired you?
I’m inspired by the dedication of people that do a lot of the behind-the-scenes or on-the-ground science and conservation research. One of my role models is Dr. Judith Lang, who is one of the founders of the Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Program. Despite all the changes she has seen, she remains optimistic for the future and that positivity is definitely needed with everything that’s happening right now.
What has your experience as a woman in ocean science been like?
I’ve had mostly a positive experience as a woman in ocean science – both abroad and in The Bahamas. In The Bahamas, there aren’t that many Bahamian researchers, but the fields of conservation and environmental education are dominated by women – so unlike some other countries, it’s the men that are under-represented. I’m keen to continue helping to build capacity for ocean science within The Bahamas.
Post AGRRA Dive. Photo Credits: Rachel Miller
How has the recent COVID-19 Pandemic affected (or not) you and your research?
The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for research. Most of what we had hoped to accomplish last year was not realized and the pandemic was definitely one of the contributing factors. However, during periods of national lockdown, the ocean is likely to have benefited from the associated decrease in activity.
Where do you go from here?
I’ve always known what I wanted to do since I was a little girl – marine biology. I’m hopeful that I can continue doing the work I love while helping my country. Aside from that, it’d be amazing to resume my global travels (mask free) at some point again!