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Press Release |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOAA03-R430
June 9, 2003
Matt Stout
National Marine Sanctuary Program
(301) 713-3125, Ext. 173
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced today that Dan Howard will become the manager of NOAA’s Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary on June 15, 2003. Previously, there had been one manager for both Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries. This action officially separates the management for the two sites.
As manager of NOAA’s Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS), Howard will oversee monitoring and preserving one of the nation’s most significant coastal resources. Designated in 1989, CBNMS protects an area of 526 square miles (397 square nautical miles) off the northern California coast. Cordell Bank is located on the continental shelf, about 43 nautical miles (nm) northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge and 18 nm west of the Point Reyes lighthouse. The main feature of the sanctuary is an offshore granite bank 4.5 miles wide by 9.5 miles long. The sanctuary is home to diverse marine life. Additionally, the sanctuary sponsors a range of programs designed to promote public awareness of marine issues.
“Dan has for many years played a key role in exploring Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary and increasing our knowledge and understanding of the distinctive marine ecosystem it encompasses,” said Richard W. Spinrad, assistant administrator for the NOAA National Ocean Service. “We are pleased that he will continue to serve the sanctuary, which is one of America’s ocean treasures, in his new role as its manager.”
Most recently, Howard has been assistant manager of CBNMS. He came to the sanctuary in 1995 to oversee research and education.
From 1980 to 1995, Howard was a fisheries biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service. He conducted research on nearshore fish communities along the California coast and Hawaii, including the Cordell Bank area. He has co-written numerous papers on the dynamics of nearshore ecosystems. Howard received a B.S. in fisheries biology from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.
NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) seeks to increase the public awareness of America’s maritime heritage by conducting scientific research, monitoring, exploration and educational programs. Today, 13 national marine sanctuaries encompass more than 18,000 square miles of America’s ocean and Great Lakes natural and cultural resources. In addition, the NMSP is conducting a sanctuary designation process to incorporate the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve into the national sanctuary system.
NOAA’s National Ocean Service manages the NMSP and is dedicated to exploring, understanding, conserving and restoring the nation’s coasts and oceans. The National Ocean Service balances environmental protection with economic prosperity in fulfilling its mission of promoting safe navigation, supporting coastal communities, sustaining coastal habitats and mitigating coastal hazards.
The Commerce Department’s NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate- related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.
On the Internet:
NOAA - http://www.noaa.gov
NOAA National Ocean Service - http://www.nos.noaa.gov
Cordell Bank NMS - http://cordellbank.noaa.gov
