NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary appoints advisory council members
April 16, 2012
NOAA’s Florida National Marine Sanctuary announces one primary member and one alternate member 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.
The appointed advisory council primary member, who will begin a new term at the April 17 meeting of the Sanctuary Advisory Council, is Clinton Barras, Tourism – Lower Keys. The appointed alternate is Joe Weatherby, Tourism – Lower Keys.
“Clinton and Joe are valuable additions to the advisory council and their connections to the lower Keys tourism community will provide important insight for sanctuary management,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “We encourage Keys residents to utilize their council representatives to stay informed of sanctuary science and policies, as well as the current review of sanctuary zones and regulations.”
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 meadows,
mangrove communities and sand flats. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the
sanctuary. Visit us online at floridakeys.noaa.gov or
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floridakeysnoaagov.
