Dr Anthony Knap yesterday resigned from his position as president and director of the Bermuda Institute for Ocean Science after 34 years of service.In a brief press release issued yesterday, BIOS announced that it had accepted the resignation of Dr Knap.According to his official biography, Dr Knap first joined BIOS as a research assistant in 1977 and has worked as BIOS director since 1986.No formal reason for the resignation was given, but the decision was reportedly made for “personal reasons.”Chair of the BIOS Board of Trustees Brian Duperreault said that Dr Nicholas Bates has been appointed interim director.“Dr Bates is a Senior Research Scientist and Associate Director of Research at BIOS and also an Adjunct Full Professor at Duke University and the College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware,” Mr Duperreault said. “He is well respected in the international scientific community.“A global search has commenced for a permanent replacement for the Director’s post and we hope to be able to make an announcement in due course.”