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New director takes helm at National Marine Science Centre

February 11, 2005

Professor Alistair McIlgorm is the new Director of the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC), a joint venture between the University of New England and Southern Cross University.
For the past nine years Professor McIlgorm has run a private consultancy, working on more than 50 fisheries and marine management projects for a range of State, Commonwealth and international agencies.
While running his consultancy, Professor McIllgorm lectured part-time at the Centre for Marine Science, University of NSW and has been an Honorary Senior Research fellow at the University of Wollongong, involved in research for the Marine Conservation Working Group of APEC.
“The expertise in Fisheries economics will be an excellent addition to the research expertise at the NMSC,” said Professor Peter Flood, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) at UNE.

Prior to establishing the consultancy, Professor McIllgorm was an Associate Director of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Environment at the Australian Maritime College. He holds a PhD from the University of Queensland, in which he modelled management of the East Australian tuna fishery.
“It is particularly pleasing to have secured someone of Professor McIlgorm’s calibre for this important role. He will steer the Centre into its next phase of research and development,” said Professor Paul Clark, Chairman of the National Marine Science Centre.
Professor Mcllgorm said he was honoured to be appointed to the position. “I see the Centre continuing to undertake important research in marine science, and further developing its contribution to the sustainable management and conservation of marine resources in the local, Australian and international arenas,” Professor Mcllgorm said.
The National Marine Science Centre is based at Coffs Harbour and was established for research and teaching on the marine ecology and management of Australia's marine zone and beyond. The centre, near Charlesworth Bay, includes an experimental tank farm, aquarium room, boat and scuba area, research vessel, teaching and research laboratories.
Research projects carried out at the Centre have include studies into fish and crab populations on the North Coast and a study of sea anemones, which resulted in the first scientific recording of their spectacular mass spawning in the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at February 11, 2005 03:40 PM