The Secretary of Commerce established the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council to provide advice to the Sanctuary Superintendent and the Director of the Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Sanctuary Managers) regarding management of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

The Council shall advise and assist NOAA and the State of Florida in the development and implementation of the comprehensive plan for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The Council shall function as a forum for consultation and deliberation between its members and as a source of consensus advice to the Secretary. The Council shall draw on the expertise of its members and other sources to provide advice and assist NOAA. Such advice shall represent the collective and individual views of the Council members. For more information, read the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Charter. (pdf)

The Sanctuary Advisory Council consists of members appointed by NOAA, in consultation with the State of Florida. Members include representatives of commercial and recreational user groups (i.e. commercial and recreational fishermen, the dive industry, and the boating industry), conservation and other public interest organizations, scientific and educational organizations, and members of the public interested in the protection and multiple use management of Sanctuary resources.

Click here for a SAC Member list

The Sanctuary Advisory Council has four responsibilities that provide a framework for all of their activities. Those responsibilities are to:

1. Identify and evaluate emergent or critical issues involving Sanctuary use or resources and serve as the local communities’ liaison to the Sanctuary Managers regarding the impact of Sanctuary management;
2. Assist Sanctuary Managers to develop an informed constituency, increasing awareness and understanding of the purpose and value of National Marine Sanctuaries;
3. Provide advice to Sanctuary Managers on the development of the Sanctuary's annual action plan; and
4. Evaluate and advise on the success of implementation of action plans and activities.

The Council will hold its meetings as necessary to carry out its responsibilities. All meetings are open to the public. Sanctuary Advisory Council meetings are normally held at the Marathon Garden Club, 5270 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida (unless stated otherwise in the draft agenda) on the third Tuesday, every other month (February, April, June, August, October); an exception is the December meeting, which is held on the second Tuesday of that month. Meetings normally begin at 9:00 AM, and include morning and afternoon public comment periods.

Contact the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary office in Key West at (305) 292-0311 for possible date or location changes for each meeting. See below for minutes and agendas.

Meeting Agendas and Minutes are available as .pdf documents. Adobe Acrobat Reader Required Please note: All agendas for future meetings are subject to change up until the day of the meeting. Please treat any agenda for a future meeting as DRAFT until the day of the meeting.
2008
Agenda Minutes Other February 19     Florida Forever Resolution Working Waterfronts Motion  April 15       June 17       August 19       October 21       December 9
2007
Agenda Minutes Other February 20       April 17       June 19     Resolution  August 21     FIU SW Shelf Resolution Water Use Resolution  October 16     Card Sound Road Modified Waters Deliveries Project Sports Season Lobster Tagging Program and Debris Removal  December 11     Final Resolution on a Decompartmentalization Alternative
2006
Agenda Minutes Other February 21     Resolution  April 11-13       June 20       August 15     SAC Motion  October 17       December 12     Motions
2005
Agenda Minutes Other December 6     Vision and Mission Statements October 11     PG Motion Ballyhoo Motion C-SOP Resolution August 16     Strategic Planning and Vision Workshop June 21      Motions April 19       February 15    Motions
2004
Agenda Minutes Other December 14 October 19 August 17 June 15 April 20 February 17 2003 Agenda Minutes Other December 9 October 21 August 19 Press Release June 17 April 8 February 18
2002
Agenda Minutes Other January 17 (special meeting) Announcement (pdf) FAQs on Marine Mammal Strandings FAQs on Marine Mammal Stranding Network February 19 April 16 June 18 Motions August 20 October 15 Priorities for the coming year (pdf) Mini-season take home document (pdf) November 14 (special meeting) December 10
2001
Agenda Minutes Other February 20 April 17 June 19 August 21 October 16 December 11
2000
Agenda Minutes Other February 15 April 18 June 20 Press Release (html) August 15 October 17 November 17 December 12