Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy is the communications director for NOAA Fisheries. In this role, he oversees all aspects of the agency's communications, including internal, external, and online platforms. He previously served as the communications director for NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research for 5 years. Prior to that role, he worked as a science consultant advising a wide range of businesses such as Costco, led a non-profit advocating sustainable water use in California, and served as communications director for a Stanford University environmental institute. He began his career at NOAA, where he conducted communications and outreach for NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries System and other research programs for 12 years. He joined NOAA in 1995 as a Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow.

He received his M.S. in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University and a B.S. in aquatic biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. In his spare time, Michael loves to cook, fish, dive, travel, and explore the outdoors with his wife and two daughters.