Photo: New Marine Reserves Program Leader Dr. Lindsay Aylesworth leads a longline survey at Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve.

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There is a new captain at the helm of the Marine Reserves Program, Dr. Lindsay Aylesworth. With the departure of Cristen Don, the former program leader earlier this year, Lindsay, the former Ecological Project Leader is ready to guide the program into the future.

Lindsay Aylesworth is the newly appointed Marine Reserves Program Leader, with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife based in Newport, OR. Lindsay has been serving in the interim role since June 2022 and prior to that served as the Marine Reserves Ecological Project Leader over the previous 5 years. She has worked for over 13 years at the interface of science, policy, and marine resource management issues. Prior to coming to ODFW, Lindsay worked on a variety of marine issues including international policy and trade of marine species, bycatch in Pacific Island fisheries, endangered species research, and coral reef ecology. Lindsay received her doctoral degree from the University of British Columbia, where she studied data-poor marine species in Southeast Asia. She has a Master’s degree in coastal environmental management from Duke University, and served as a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil. Lindsay brings with her excellent communication skills, and interdisciplinary experience in social-ecological systems.  

When not in the office, Lindsay enjoys walking her dog, teaching spin (indoor cycling) classes, and fishing.