(NEW BEDFORD, MA) – Robert C. Rocha, Jr., Science Programs Manager of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, has been named to NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Committee as Education Alternate Member. "It's an honor to be chosen to play a part in managing this critical natural resource with such a diverse group of people and user groups. I'm sure that the meetings will never be dull," Mr. Rocha said.
Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in March 2001 to assure continuous public participation in the management of the sanctuary. The volunteer council's 17 voting members and six ex-officio members represent a variety of local user groups, the general public, and state and federal governmental jurisdictions.
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 842 square miles of ocean, stretching between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. The sanctuary supports a diversity of marine life including 22 species of marine mammals, more than 30 species of seabirds, more than 60 species of fishes and hundreds of marine invertebrates and plants.