Department of Marine Resources
Carl Wilson was sworn-in as Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) on April 8, 2025 after his unanimous confirmation by the Maine Senate.
A highly regarded fisheries scientist, Wilson served from 2015 to 2025 as Director of DMR’s Bureau of Marine Science. During his tenure, he was instrumental in establishing DMR's Division of Marine Mammal Research. The Division is responsible for monitoring north Atlantic right whales to make sure federal regulators have the data they need to develop targeted regulations that minimize the impact on fishermen.
Under Wilson's leadership, the Science Bureau also reorganized in 2021 and 2022 to create two additional Divisions, the Division of Biological Monitoring and Assessment and the Division of Ecology and the Environment. The new Divisions have improved the department's ability to collect data on commercially and recreationally important species and to better understand the complex Gulf of Maine ecosystem.
In addition, he led the renovation of the Maine State Aquarium and modernization of the Departments' flow through sea water laboratory to ensure the safe care and handling of animals held for display in the Aquarium and for research by DMR staff.
Wilson has also served as a Co-Chair of the Maine Climate Council's Coastal and Marine Working Group. The Working Group is tasked with recommending short- and long-term strategies and actions for adaptation and resiliency to climate change in Maine's coastal communities and marine industries.
As the lead lobster biologist for DMR from 1999-2015, Wilson directed all lobster research and monitoring programs, initiated several new collaborative monitoring programs and research projects, supervised science staff, chaired the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council lobster technical committee, and oversaw the operation and maintenance of department research vessels and mapping systems.
Wilson received his Bachelor of Science from the University of New Hampshire in 1995 and his Master of Science in Oceanography from the University of Maine in 1999.