U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI, has nominated CRC U.S. Program Director Jennifer McCann for the 2016 Peter Benchley Ocean Awards.

These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement across many sectors of society leading to the protection of our oceans and coasts and the communities that depend on them. Awards are made across a broad range of ocean categories, including national stewardship, science, policy, media, solutions, exploration, youth and activism.

The awards’ website says the honers were “co-founded by Wendy Benchley and David Helvarg and named in honor of Peter Benchley, author of “Jaws” … and celebrate the life and legacy of a man who spent more than 40 years educating the public and expanding awareness of the importance of protecting sharks and ocean ecosystems.”

Winners will be announced Feb. 1.