Maine Sea Grant Program names new director
Courtesy / Catlin Ames
Gayle Zydlewski, an associate professor in the University of Maine School of Marine Sciences, who has been named director of the Maine Sea Grant College Program, effective July 1, releases a shortnose sturgeon (NOAA ESA permit number: 20347), an endangered species that can be found in the Penobscot River and the broader Gulf of Maine.
Gayle Zydlewski, an associate professor in the University of Maine School of Marine Sciences, has been named director of the Maine Sea Grant College Program, effective July 1.
Zydlewski, who has a doctorate degree in oceanography from UMaine, has more than 20 years of experience as a researcher and faculty member at UMaine and Washington State University. She also served as a supervisory fishery biologist at the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Longview, Wash.
She has had multiple roles as a faculty member at UMaine and is currently the graduate coordinator of the Marine Biology Program in the School of Marine Sciences. Zydlewski also serves as the chancellor’s designee to the Maine Ocean School Board of Trustees and is a member of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station Research Council.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Maine Sea Grant,” Zydlewski said in a news release. “Maine Sea Grant plays such a pivotal role for Maine’s coastal communities, and I look forward to transferring my skills and expertise to this important organization in Maine. I am excited to work with a team that has established networks with a diversity of partners on-the-ground and connections to nationwide efforts. I expect to learn from their experiences and expand those connections in new and innovative ways to benefit the state of Maine.”
Researching environment effects of tidal power
Zydlewski’s research seeks to understand the impact of environmental conditions on fish behavior and physiology and their relationship with population dynamics.
Her most recent research focuses on shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon in the Penobscot River and the broader Gulf of Maine. This includes incorporating effects of various components of the ecosystems — dams, prey presence, interspecific interactions and habitat quality — on fish behavior and population dynamics.
She also leads a research program focused on the environmental effects of tidal power development in partnership with state and national natural resource regulators and marine renewable energy partners in the United States and Canada. She has authored and co-authored more than 100 papers in journals and conference proceedings.
“All of my research results would not have been possible without the 15 graduate students, more than 20 undergraduate researchers, multiple research staff, colleagues, and partners working with me over the years,” she said.
Carl Wilson, director of the Bureau of Marine Science at the Maine Department of Marine Resources, said Zydlewski’s research “has had direct and positive impacts on sea-run fish and marine resources in Maine.”
“Most importantly, Gayle is a great listener,” he said. “These experiences and talents will serve Sea Grant, the university and the state of Maine well in advancing sound marine science initiatives.”
Beth Bisson, who has been serving as interim director, said that with Zydlewski’s leadership and expertise, the Maine Sea Grant program is “well positioned to take on new opportunities and address new challenges in the coming years.”
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