Contact:
Vernon Smith, 301-713-7248
Anne Smrcina, 781-545-8026 ext. 204
Stellwagen Research Coordinator Honored
in New "Wildlife Heroes" Book
David Wiley, research coordinator for NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, is featured in the new book, "Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals They are Committed to Saving." The book combines real-life stories, photography and animal information to make the case that it is not too late to save species in decline.
Named in the book as one of the 40 top wildlife conservationists of our time, Wiley is praised for his vision, determination and success in his efforts to protect endangered whales in and around the sanctuary. The authors highlight Wiley's groundbreaking research that led to the relocation of shipping lanes within the sanctuary and the world's first real-time system for notifying ships about the locations of whales in their paths.
Wiley's outreach work to increase the commercial shipping industry's compliance with NOAA's Ship Strike Reduction Rule won the International Society for Marine Mammalogy's award for Excellence in Science Communication. He also worked with fishermen to redesign fishing gear to reduce the risk of whale entanglement and pioneered methods to successfully rescue mass-stranded whales and dolphins. "David is one of the most innovative and dedicated scientists I have ever met," said Craig MacDonald, sanctuary superintendent. "He is truly a great example of a dedicated wildlife hero."
Written by Julie Scardina and Jeff Flocken, "Wildlife Heroes" is available in bookstores and online. The book features chapter introductions by notable public figures such as actor Ted Danson and animal advocate Jack Hanna. For more information about the book and where to purchase it, go to www.WildlifeHeroes.org.
The authors are donating 100 percent of their profits to helping imperiled wildlife and supporting the heroes in the book like Wiley.
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 842 square miles of ocean, stretching between Cape Ann and Cape Cod offshore of Massachusetts. Renowned for its biodiversity and remarkable productivity, the sanctuary supports a rich assortment of marine life, including endangered great whales, more than 30 species of seabirds, more than 60 species of fishes and hundreds of marine invertebrates.
NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.
On the Web:
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
