Unalaska, AK – The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge has a new leader. Steve Delahanti started as the new refuge manager about three weeks ago. He had worked for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for 23 years, most recently in Minnesota, and said at the moment he's just trying to learn about the region and the local ecosystems.

"It's just beautiful and the wildlife abundance is unparallel. And again, because I'm new to Alaska and marine issues, so many things are new to me. It's fascinating with marine mammals and the seabird nesting colonies on Bogoslof, for example. And coming into port here in Unalaska, it's a million dollar view. It's just gorgeous," he said.

During his first two weeks he took a trip on the Tiglax, the refuge's research ship and saw part of the chain, walked on the ash covered remains of Kasatochi Island and saw the bird rookeries on Bogoslof.

Delahanti said he's not planning any dramatic changes for the refuge in the short-term and he will manage the refuge as mandated by Congress. The refuge was formed to support scientific research, protect wildlife habitat, and to give people access to public land and public resources.