NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary appoints advisory council members

October 31, 2011

NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary announces six primary members and seven alternate members to serve new terms on its Sanctuary Advisory Council. The appointees bring a valuable range of experience to the council, which provides sanctuary staff with input and recommendations on sanctuary programs and management.

 “Advisory council members are important conduits from their communities to sanctuary managers,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “We encourage Keys residents to utilize their council representatives to stay informed of sanctuary science and policies, and provide feedback on issues of interest or concern.”

The appointed advisory council members, who began new terms at the October 25 meeting of the Sanctuary Advisory Council, are: Ben Daughtry, Commercial Marine/Tropical Fishing; David Hawtof, Citizen at Large/Lower Keys; Richard Grathwohl, Charter Fishing Flats Guide; Don Kincaid, Diving /Lower Keys; Jerry Lorenz, South Florida Ecosystem Restoration; and Ken Nedimyer, Conservation and Environment.

The appointed alternates are: Joseph Boyer, South Florida Ecosystem Restoration; Bill Gilbert, Jr., Boating Industry; Kristie Killam, Citizen at Large/Lower Keys; Ted Lund, Charter Fishing Flats Guide; Jessica Pulfer, Conservation and Environment; Bob Smith, Diving/Lower Keys; and Leah Marie Wilde-Gould, Commercial Marine/Tropical Fishing.

Authorized in 1990 and established in 1992, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary advisory council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting the sanctuary. The council has 20 representatives and alternates from community constituent groups, and 10 government agencies have non-voting representatives on the council. Serving in a voluntary capacity, the council members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadow, mangrove communities and sand flats. NOAA and the State of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us at floridakeys.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floridakeysnoaagov.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join NOAA on Facebook , Twitter and our other social media channels.