# @princetonspia on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CaIrvJ9rPan
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/20742201-princetonspia-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/94ee53dc98.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-02-18T22:37:49.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Princeton SPIA (@princetonspia) — https://gondola.cc/princetonspia

## Caption

#PolicyProfile: “I want to make policy decisions when it comes to the management of our ocean — to make our use of ocean resources more sustainable and safer. I have been passionate about the ocean for a long time. Before graduating in 2015, I studied biology at DukeUniversity and spent a year on the marine campus on the coast of North Carolina. My long-term plan was to pursue a Ph.D. in ocean science and work as a researcher. I think my undergraduate adviser saw that I was the type of person who would be frustrated in a research position, not being able to be personally involved in implementing change. So, he suggested I work in the nonprofit world before committing to go back to school. I’ve spent the last six years in ocean nonprofits, starting with the largest international ocean conservation nonprofit, Oceana. There, I was working on U.S. fisheries bycatch issues, reducing the amount of incidental catch and fishing of creatures like sea turtles and dolphins. I was focused on shrimp trawling activity in the Gulf — a method of fishing where a net or ‘trawl,’ is pulled through the water behind a boat. During that time, I also helped create a new nonprofit, Global Fishing Watch, which I’ve been involved with for the past four years. We use satellite technology and machine learning to pinpoint vessel activity all over the world and publish the data. Then, we work with governments to make change. That work made me more interested in learning about the policy side of things and how we can make policy decisions that will improve the situation for illegal activity at sea,
marine conservation, and maritime security. Here, at PrincetonSPIA and beyond, I want to continue working on the same issues. With today’s cutting-edge technology, we can’t make the same excuses we did 10 years ago. I think we’re at a watershed moment where ocean policy can improve tremendously. I want to be a part of that.” —Samantha Emmert MPA ‘23 #PolicyProfile is an Instagram series that features members of our community. Want to be featured?
Comment/DM us. #OurOcean #GlobalFishingWatch #Oceana
#OceanPolicy

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 144
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 14

## Tags

oceana, globalfishingwatch, policyprofile, ourocean, oceanpolicy

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