Craig MacDonald
Named as Superintendent
of NOAA’s Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank
National Marine Sanctuary
7/1/00
contact:
Anne Smrcina, 781-545-8026, ext. 204
Craig
McDonald has been selected as Superintendent of the Gerry E. Studds
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary is one of 12
marine sanctuaries administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration‘s (NOAA) National Ocean Service. "I look forward
to working with all sanctuary community members when I begin in September,"
said McDonald.
A native
of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, MacDonald received his undergraduate degree
in fishery management from the University of Maine and his Ph.D. in
marine biology from the University of Hawaii. He has been the Chief
of the Ocean Resources Branch with the State of Hawaii working with
the entire cross section of ocean users on issues including marine mammal
protection, whale watching, fishery management and maritime shipping
for the past 15 years.
"McDonald
brings to the sanctuary program strong marine management experience
coupled with broad knowledge and understanding of the program’s
intricate operations," said Ted I. Lillestolen, Deputy Assistant Administrator
of NOAA’s National Ocean Service. "He is committed to involving
the community and the stakeholder groups in the protection of marine
resources."
Located
about 25 miles east of Boston, Massachusetts, the sanctuary is positioned
at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay, an area bathed in nutrient-rich water
from the Gulf of Maine. Stellwagen Bank is a highly productive area
for marine mammals and is a premier location for whale watching which
is major reason why the 842-square miles in Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen
Bank National Marine Sanctuary was established in 1992.
