Mark Swingle, the Virginia Aquarium director of research and conservation, was recently named the Virginia Beach Rotary Club Outstanding City Employee of the Year. Swingle is responsible for all research and conservation projects, operation of the marine animal acquisition and quarantine programs, and the marine animal Stranding Response Program.
He is the newly elected president and stranding committee chair for the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. He also participates on federal management teams working to conserve marine mammals and sea turtles.
Swingle is also a member of a planning team and marine mammal working for The Nature Conservancy to develop a marine area conservation plan for the mid-Atlantic region and part of an informal group interested in establishing a marine sanctuary associated with the Norfolk Canyon off the mid-Atlantic Coast.
He led the charge to create a Sensible Seafood program in conjunction with oceanfront restaurants where all agreed to label their menus as to the most sustainable seafood choices. He also helped organize the aquarium's Green Team whose practices led to the Virginia Aquarium being designated the first Virginia Green attraction in the commonwealth. Swingle was instrumental in developing a lecture series that brings notable scientists to speak at the aquarium.
He is currently working with Virginia Wesleyan College to create a marine research vessel that will be jointly operated by the aquarium and the college.
