The New England Fishery Management Council has chosen Dr. Catherine O’Keefe of South Dartmouth to be its next executive director.

O’Keefe is the owner of a fishing consulting firm specializing in sustainable fisheries management, and serves as vice chair on the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. 

She received a doctoral degree in Marine Science and Technology from UMass Dartmouth, where she wrote her dissertation on avoiding bycatch in U.S. sea scallop fishing.

“Dr. O’Keefe has extensive experience with New England fisheries, and her broad-based background makes her uniquely suited for this position,” said Council Chair Eric Reid in the Council's press release about O’Keefe’s appointment. 

O’Keefe is taking over for former executive director Tom Nies, who announced his retirement in January.