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

October 16, 2012

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Karrie Carnes
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Sanctuary Advisory Council

NOAA’s Florida National Marine Sanctuary announced seven primary members and nine 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.

“Council members are shaping the future of marine conservation in the Florida Keys during our marine zoning and regulatory review,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “We encourage Keys residents get to know their council representatives, and use them to stay informed of public comment opportunities and to provide feedback on issues of interest or concern.”

The appointed advisory council members, who will begin new terms at the October 16 meeting of the Sanctuary Advisory Council, are:

  • Dolly Garlo, Citizen at Large/Middle Keys
  • Chris Bergh, Conservation and Environment
  • Martin Moe, Education and Outreach
  • George Neugent, Elected County Official
  • Jeff Cramer, Commercial Shell/Scale Fishing
  • Corey Malcom, Submerged Cultural Resources
  • Andy Newman, Tourism/Upper Keys

The appointed alternates are:

  • Julie Anne Floyd, Citizen at Large/Lower Keys
  • George Garrett, Citizen at Large/Middle Keys
  • Jim Scholl, Conservation and Environment
  • Alex Brylske, Education and Outreach
  • Heather Carruthers, Elected County Official
  • Justin Bruland, Commercial Shell/Scale Fishing
  • Peter Frezza, South Florida Ecosystem Restoration
  • Diane Silvia, Submerged Cultural Resources
  • Eric Handte, Tourism/Upper Keys.

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 11 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.

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.