Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting to be Held in Key West

Nov. 23, 2009

Media Contact:

Karrie Carnes
305-809-4700 x236

 

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Sanctuary Advisory Council

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) will meet Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, 35 East Quay Road, Key West beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend; there will be opportunities for public comment at 10:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

The public will have the opportunity to learn about the Dolphin SMART recognition program and potential impacts of boat-based tourism during the 11:25 a.m. presentation given by Stacey Horstman, NOAA Fisheries; and Laura Engleby, Dolphin Ecology Project.

Acting sanctuary superintendent Sean Morton will discuss the proposed marine sanitation device discharge rule at 1:40 p.m.  SAC members Bob Smith and Don Kincaid will provide a presentation of photographs taken of the marine life observed on the artificial reef of the Vandenberg at 1:50 p.m.

Marianne Cufone of Food and Water Watch will present at 3:00 p.m. on aquaculture developments in the Gulf of Mexico and internationally. Bob Leeworthy, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and David Loomis of the University of Massachusetts Amherst will share the results of a decadal look at recreation and tourism in the Florida Keys at 3:30 p.m.

The SAC was established to provide the sanctuary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the State of Florida advice on implementation of the sanctuary’s final management plan. SAC members also serve as liaisons to the community regarding sanctuary issues. SAC members relay the community’s interests, concerns, and management needs to the sanctuary.

The sanctuary was established in 1990 in recognition of the special resources found in and around the waters of the Florida Keys. NOAA and the State of Florida jointly developed a comprehensive plan to protect and manage sanctuary resources. For more information, visit the Sanctuary’s web site at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov. A current list of SAC members may be found at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/sac/members.html.