WESTBROOK – The president of the Marine Animal Lifeline seal rescue organization has stepped down from his post.

Greg Jakush was the founder and head of the Westbrook-based organization, which cared for seals that were found stranded along the Maine coast.

Last month, the National Marine Fisheries Service shut down the center for releasing seals into the wild without the required health screening tests. The Marine Animal Lifeline board of trustees then put Jakush on administrative leave.

On Friday, Jakush informed the board he was resigning from his position effective immediately for personal reasons and to pursue other interests, according to a release from the board.

The Marine Animal Lifeline board of trustees met with NMFS officials last week with the aim of resuming seal rescue and rehabilitation efforts in southern Maine.