The Urban Harbors Institute of the University of Massachusetts Boston

Dan Hellin is a coastal management and marine ecology specialist who joined the Urban Harbors Institute in 2001. He has a Master's degree in Coastal Management and a Bachelor's degree in Zoology.

Dan has conducted research on the impact of tourism and coastal development on coral reefs in Malaysia and undertaken numerous environmental impact assessments and ecological studies in Bermuda and the US. Such work has addressed recreational pelagic fishing, the ecological effects of sewage on coral reefs, the effects of thermal effluent on seagrass beds, and the recovery of reefs after ship grounding events. Dan has been involved in the development of courses on "Integrated Coastal Management", "Oceanography and Marine Sciences" and the "Building of Training Capacity".

Since joining the Institute, he has been involved in a number of boating, harbor planning, coastal management, GIS and natural resource inventory projects. Representative projects include:

Florida Boating Access Facilities Inventory and Economic Study
UHI was contracted to assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with a comprehensive statewide inventory of recreational boating access facilities, develop economic models to forecast future boater demand and document the economic impact of recreational boating for the State of Florida, as well as prepare a model for site suitability analyses of future boating facilities.

Massachusetts Marine Trades Workforce Needs Assessment
UHI was contracted to conduct a survey of the marine industries and businesses in the South Coastal Region of Massachusetts to better understand the current status of the industry and to determine the future needs of those involved in marine trades within Massachusetts.

Incorporating Benthic-Pelagic Linkages into Marine Protected Area Design
UHI was contracted to assist NOAA's National Marine Protected Areas Center Science Institute in evaluating scientific issues relating to the design of MPAs. Specifically addressing to what degree benthic habitats and communities in various US marine ecosystems are linked ecologically with pelagic and other fish species swimming above them and how these linkages inform the design of restrictions on extractive uses in MPAs.

2004 Gloucester Harbor Plan Update and Development of a Master Plan for the Designated Port Area
UHI was contracted to work with officials and stakeholders from the City of Gloucester MA, to update and revise the 1999 Gloucester Harbor Plan and to develop an expanded Master Plan for the City's Designated Port Area.

Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Management Plan
Town of Nantucket contracted with UHI to update the Harbor Management Plans for Nantucket and Madaket Harbors. UHI staff collaborated with John Duff (Assistant Professor with EEOS), Sarah Oktay (Managing Director of UMB's Nantucket Field Station), and Chris Sweeney (Director of the Division of Marine Operations), Steve Bliven (UHI Senior Associate) and Rich Delaney (Executive Vice President, Horsley & Witten Group).

City of Bridgeport Harbor Management Plan
In collaboration with Apex Environmental, Inc., UHI worked with the City of Bridgeport's Harbor Commission to develop a Harbor Management Plan.

Town of Salisbury Harbor Plan - Phase I
UHI worked with the Town of Salisbury's Harbor Commission to develop the initial phase of a Harbor Management Plan.

Boston Harbor Watershed Action Plan
In partnership with a number of watershed associations, UHI prepared a watershed action plan for the Neponset River, Fore River, Back River, and Weir River watersheds. The action plan included an assessment on the state of knowledge of environmental conditions and natural resources within the watershed. A comprehensive GIS was developed as part of the product for this project.

Emerging Technologies and Operational Arrangements in the International Container Trade
Research focused on the emerging technologies and operational arrangements of the international container trade, with particular reference to East-Coast Australia and how these might influence a proposed expansion of the Port Botany Container Terminal in Australia.

South Shore Regional Pumpout Evaluation
UHI studied the effectiveness of recreational boat sewage pumpout services in the South Shore communities of Massachusetts. A survey was sent to 5,100 boat owners in the region and the results will were analyzed to determine the frequency of pumpout use and the level of boater awareness with respect to pumpout locations, operation, and the environmental impacts of vessel sewage.

Determining the Design and Location for a Commercial Pumpout Facility in the City of Boston
Research focused on the design and operations of sewage pumpout facilities to determine the most suitable location for the establishment of a commercial facility to service vessels operating within the waters of the City of Boston.

An Evaluation of New Jersey's Coastal Management Plan
A study to evaluate, update and amend New Jersey's federally-approved Coastal Management Program.

Gulf River Estuary Natural Resources Inventory
Preparation and mapping of the natural resources, human uses, and infrastructure of the Gulf River watershed and the identification of the priority issues of the watershed and potential sources of pollution.

Boston Harbor Watershed Basinwide Water Quality Strategy
Development of a basinwide water quality strategy for the Boston Harbor Watershed.

Boston Harbor Boat Pollution Reduction Strategy
A survey of marina operators, recreational and commercial boaters, and enforcement personnel in the City of Boston to assess local vessel sewage pumpout facilities.

Survey of Sewage Pumpout Facilities in the No Discharge Areas of Massachusetts
Conducted a survey focused on the facility operations and boater behavior with regards to recreational vessel sewage pumpout facilities in Southern Massachusetts.

Site Assessment & Overview of Potential Development of the Nantucket Field Station
An assessment of the University of Massachusetts Boston's Nantucket Field Station and development of an overview for the possible redevelopment and expansion of the facilities incorporating green design.

Predevelopment of Renewables in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
An investigation into the feasibility of installing a mix of solar, wind, wave, and tidal power generating facilities at sites on four of the Boston Harbor Islands.

Master Plan for the Marine Industries Association of South Florida
Development of a comprehensive plan for retaining and expanding the marine industry in Broward County, Florida.

Additionally, Dan is the Institute's webmaster and has also developed sites for the University of Massachusetts' Education for Sustainability Initiative and UMass Boston's Environmental Citizenship Academy.

EDUCATION

MSc in Tropical Coastal Management, University of Newcastle, England. Awarded with distinction.
BA in Zoology, Oxford University, England. Awarded with honors.

PUBLICATIONS

Books & Peer-Reviewed Papers

Smith SR, Webster G, de Putron S, Murdoch T, McKenna SA, Hellin DC, Grayston LM and Stanley AM (2002). Coral Population Dynamics on Bermuda's Reefs: A Key to Understanding Reef Development and Persistence at High Latitude. Proceedings of the International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS) European Meeting. Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK.

Smith SR, Webster G, Grayston LM, Stanley AM and Hellin DC (2000). Dynamics of Juvenile Coral Populations in the No-Take Zones of the Florida Keys. Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali, Indonesia.

Burbridge PR and Hellin DC (2000). Rehabilitation of Coastal Wetland Forests Degraded through their Conversion to Shrimp Farms. Sustainability of Wetlands and Water Resources Conference, University of Mississippi, Mississippi, USA.

Smith SR, Hellin DC, McKenna SA and Grayston LM (1999). Coral Recruitment in the Upper Florida Keys: How Much Variation in Time and Space? International Conference on Scientific Aspects of Coral Reef Assessment, Monitoring and Restoration. Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Smith SR, Hellin DC and McKenna SA (1998). Environment Bermuda. Marine Environmental Impact Studies on the Thermal Effluent Released from the Tynes Bay Incinerator and Ash Waste Disposal in Castle Harbour. Bermuda Biological Station for Research Special Publication No. 35. 210 pp. ISBN 0-917642-33-3.

Reports & Other Papers

Hellin DC (2005). Massachusetts Marine Trades Workforce Assessment. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

Hellin DC, Lefebvre CM, Portman ME and Woods S (2004). South Shore Vessel Pumpout Evaluation and Outreach Plan. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

Benoit J, Lefebvre CM, Hellin DC and Maund R (2004). State Coastal Observations and Monitoring Needs: Results of a Survey to Assess Coastal Management Needs. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

Benoit J, Lefebvre CM, Hellin DC and Maund R (2004). Improving Links between Science and Coastal Management: Results of a Survey to Assess Science and Technology Needs. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

Wiggin J, Hellin DC and Lefebvre CM (2004). Emerging Technologies and Operational Arrangements and how these relate to the future of International Container Trade - with particular reference to East-Coast Australia. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

Hellin DC and Wiggin J (2003). The Public Trust Doctrine and Public Access in New Jersey. A discussion paper prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

Lefebvre CM, Hellin DC and Crawford C (2003). Gulf River Estuary - Natural Resources Inventory. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

Lefebvre CM, Riley C, Hellin DC and Wiggin J (2002). Weir River Area of Critical Environmental Concern - Natural Resources Inventory. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

Hellin DC (2001). A Preliminary Survey of the Sewage Pumpout Facilities in the No Discharge Areas of Massachusetts. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute.

US National Marine Fisheries Service / NOAA (2001). Contributor to the Bermuda chapter of the World Swordfish Fisheries.

Hellin DC (1999). An Assessment of Recreational Pelagic Fishing in Bermuda. MSc Dissertation. University of Newcastle, England. 93 pp.

Smith, SR, Hellin DC, and McKenna SA (1998). Patterns of Juvenile Coral Abundance, Mortality, and Recruitment at the MV WELLWOOD and MV ELPIS Grounding Sites and their Comparison to Undisturbed Reefs in the Florida Keys. Final Report to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Aronson RB, Smith SR, Hanisak MD, Ebersole JP, Swanson D, Hellin DC, McKenna SA and Overdorf LS (1998). Disturbance and Recovery from Ship Groundings in the Florida Keys. Report to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division.

SCUBA CERTIFICATIONS

Dan is a BSAC Dive Leader and a NOAA-certified Working Diver, Saturation Diver and NITROX Diver with extensive experience in the US, Bermuda, the UK, Honduras, the Cayman Islands, Malaysia, Israel, Malta and Sri Lanka.




Dan Hellin is a coastal management and marine ecology specialist who joined the Urban Harbors Institute in 2001. He has a Master's degree in Coastal Management and a Bachelor's degree in Zoology. Dan has conducted research on the impact of tourism and coastal development on coral reefs in Malaysia and undertaken numerous environmental impact assessments and ecological studies in Bermuda and the US. Such work has addressed recreational pelagic fishing, the ecological effects of sewage on coral reefs, the effects of thermal effluent on seagrass beds, and the recovery of reefs after ship grounding events. Dan has been involved in the development of courses on "Integrated Coastal Management", "Oceanography and Marine Sciences" and the "Building of Training Capacity". Since joining the Institute, he has been involved in a number of boating, harbor planning, coastal management, GIS and natural resource inventory projects. Representative projects include: Florida Boating Access Facilities Inventory and Economic Study UHI was contracted to assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with a comprehensive statewide inventory of recreational boating access facilities, develop economic models to forecast future boater demand and document the economic impact of recreational boating for the State of Florida, as well as prepare a model for site suitability analyses of future boating facilities. Massachusetts Marine Trades Workforce Needs Assessment UHI was contracted to conduct a survey of the marine industries and businesses in the South Coastal Region of Massachusetts to better understand the current status of the industry and to determine the future needs of those involved in marine trades within Massachusetts. Incorporating Benthic-Pelagic Linkages into Marine Protected Area Design UHI was contracted to assist NOAA's National Marine Protected Areas Center Science Institute in evaluating scientific issues relating to the design of MPAs. Specifically addressing to what degree benthic habitats and communities in various US marine ecosystems are linked ecologically with pelagic and other fish species swimming above them and how these linkages inform the design of restrictions on extractive uses in MPAs. 2004 Gloucester Harbor Plan Update and Development of a Master Plan for the Designated Port Area UHI was contracted to work with officials and stakeholders from the City of Gloucester MA, to update and revise the 1999 Gloucester Harbor Plan and to develop an expanded Master Plan for the City's Designated Port Area. Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Management Plan Town of Nantucket contracted with UHI to update the Harbor Management Plans for Nantucket and Madaket Harbors. UHI staff collaborated with John Duff (Assistant Professor with EEOS), Sarah Oktay (Managing Director of UMB's Nantucket Field Station), and Chris Sweeney (Director of the Division of Marine Operations), Steve Bliven (UHI Senior Associate) and Rich Delaney (Executive Vice President, Horsley & Witten Group). City of Bridgeport Harbor Management Plan In collaboration with Apex Environmental, Inc., UHI worked with the City of Bridgeport's Harbor Commission to develop a Harbor Management Plan. Town of Salisbury Harbor Plan - Phase I UHI worked with the Town of Salisbury's Harbor Commission to develop the initial phase of a Harbor Management Plan. Boston Harbor Watershed Action Plan In partnership with a number of watershed associations, UHI prepared a watershed action plan for the Neponset River, Fore River, Back River, and Weir River watersheds. The action plan included an assessment on the state of knowledge of environmental conditions and natural resources within the watershed. A comprehensive GIS was developed as part of the product for this project. Emerging Technologies and Operational Arrangements in the International Container Trade Research focused on the emerging technologies and operational arrangements of the international container trade, with particular reference to East-Coast Australia and how these might influence a proposed expansion of the Port Botany Container Terminal in Australia. South Shore Regional Pumpout Evaluation UHI studied the effectiveness of recreational boat sewage pumpout services in the South Shore communities of Massachusetts. A survey was sent to 5,100 boat owners in the region and the results will were analyzed to determine the frequency of pumpout use and the level of boater awareness with respect to pumpout locations, operation, and the environmental impacts of vessel sewage. Determining the Design and Location for a Commercial Pumpout Facility in the City of Boston Research focused on the design and operations of sewage pumpout facilities to determine the most suitable location for the establishment of a commercial facility to service vessels operating within the waters of the City of Boston. An Evaluation of New Jersey's Coastal Management Plan A study to evaluate, update and amend New Jersey's federally-approved Coastal Management Program. Gulf River Estuary Natural Resources Inventory Preparation and mapping of the natural resources, human uses, and infrastructure of the Gulf River watershed and the identification of the priority issues of the watershed and potential sources of pollution. Boston Harbor Watershed Basinwide Water Quality Strategy Development of a basinwide water quality strategy for the Boston Harbor Watershed. Boston Harbor Boat Pollution Reduction Strategy A survey of marina operators, recreational and commercial boaters, and enforcement personnel in the City of Boston to assess local vessel sewage pumpout facilities. Survey of Sewage Pumpout Facilities in the No Discharge Areas of Massachusetts Conducted a survey focused on the facility operations and boater behavior with regards to recreational vessel sewage pumpout facilities in Southern Massachusetts. Site Assessment & Overview of Potential Development of the Nantucket Field Station An assessment of the University of Massachusetts Boston's Nantucket Field Station and development of an overview for the possible redevelopment and expansion of the facilities incorporating green design. Predevelopment of Renewables in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area An investigation into the feasibility of installing a mix of solar, wind, wave, and tidal power generating facilities at sites on four of the Boston Harbor Islands. Master Plan for the Marine Industries Association of South Florida Development of a comprehensive plan for retaining and expanding the marine industry in Broward County, Florida. Additionally, Dan is the Institute's webmaster and has also developed sites for the University of Massachusetts' Education for Sustainability Initiative and UMass Boston's Environmental Citizenship Academy. EDUCATION MSc in Tropical Coastal Management, University of Newcastle, England. Awarded with distinction. BA in Zoology, Oxford University, England. Awarded with honors. PUBLICATIONS *Books & Peer-Reviewed Papers* Smith SR, Webster G, de Putron S, Murdoch T, McKenna SA, Hellin DC, Grayston LM and Stanley AM (2002). Coral Population Dynamics on Bermuda's Reefs: A Key to Understanding Reef Development and Persistence at High Latitude. Proceedings of the International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS) European Meeting. Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK. Smith SR, Webster G, Grayston LM, Stanley AM and Hellin DC (2000). Dynamics of Juvenile Coral Populations in the No-Take Zones of the Florida Keys. Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali, Indonesia. Burbridge PR and Hellin DC (2000). Rehabilitation of Coastal Wetland Forests Degraded through their Conversion to Shrimp Farms. Sustainability of Wetlands and Water Resources Conference, University of Mississippi, Mississippi, USA. Smith SR, Hellin DC, McKenna SA and Grayston LM (1999). Coral Recruitment in the Upper Florida Keys: How Much Variation in Time and Space? International Conference on Scientific Aspects of Coral Reef Assessment, Monitoring and Restoration. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Smith SR, Hellin DC and McKenna SA (1998). Environment Bermuda. Marine Environmental Impact Studies on the Thermal Effluent Released from the Tynes Bay Incinerator and Ash Waste Disposal in Castle Harbour. Bermuda Biological Station for Research Special Publication No. 35. 210 pp. ISBN 0-917642-33-3. *Reports & Other Papers* Hellin DC (2005). Massachusetts Marine Trades Workforce Assessment. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. Hellin DC, Lefebvre CM, Portman ME and Woods S (2004). South Shore Vessel Pumpout Evaluation and Outreach Plan. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. Benoit J, Lefebvre CM, Hellin DC and Maund R (2004). State Coastal Observations and Monitoring Needs: Results of a Survey to Assess Coastal Management Needs. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. Benoit J, Lefebvre CM, Hellin DC and Maund R (2004). Improving Links between Science and Coastal Management: Results of a Survey to Assess Science and Technology Needs. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. Wiggin J, Hellin DC and Lefebvre CM (2004). Emerging Technologies and Operational Arrangements and how these relate to the future of International Container Trade - with particular reference to East-Coast Australia. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. Hellin DC and Wiggin J (2003). The Public Trust Doctrine and Public Access in New Jersey. A discussion paper prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. Lefebvre CM, Hellin DC and Crawford C (2003). Gulf River Estuary - Natural Resources Inventory. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. Lefebvre CM, Riley C, Hellin DC and Wiggin J (2002). Weir River Area of Critical Environmental Concern - Natural Resources Inventory. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. Hellin DC (2001). A Preliminary Survey of the Sewage Pumpout Facilities in the No Discharge Areas of Massachusetts. A report prepared on behalf of the Urban Harbors Institute. US National Marine Fisheries Service / NOAA (2001). Contributor to the Bermuda chapter of the World Swordfish Fisheries. Hellin DC (1999). An Assessment of Recreational Pelagic Fishing in Bermuda. MSc Dissertation. University of Newcastle, England. 93 pp. Smith, SR, Hellin DC, and McKenna SA (1998). Patterns of Juvenile Coral Abundance, Mortality, and Recruitment at the MV WELLWOOD and MV ELPIS Grounding Sites and their Comparison to Undisturbed Reefs in the Florida Keys. Final Report to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Aronson RB, Smith SR, Hanisak MD, Ebersole JP, Swanson D, Hellin DC, McKenna SA and Overdorf LS (1998). Disturbance and Recovery from Ship Groundings in the Florida Keys. Report to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division. SCUBA CERTIFICATIONS Dan is a BSAC Dive Leader and a NOAA-certified Working Diver, Saturation Diver and NITROX Diver with extensive experience in the US, Bermuda, the UK, Honduras, the Cayman Islands, Malaysia, Israel, Malta and Sri Lanka.

	Last modified: March 23, 2007