NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council to meet in Marathon

August 2, 2016

NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will hold a public meeting of the Sanctuary Advisory Council in Marathon, Florida, at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2016.

John Armor, acting director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, will address the council and will also present the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer of the Year Award to Mr. Alfred Pasquale, Jr.  NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director, Tracy Dunn, will provide an update on enforcement priorities and activities in the Florida Keys.

The Everglades National Park will provide updates on their new management plan and requirement for boater education.  Advisory Council member, Pete Frezza, will lead a discussion about boater education opportunities and needs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Public comment for items not on the agenda will be taken at 2:15 p.m., and will be taken before any Advisory Council decision or action. The meeting will include an update on the sanctuary’s marine zoning and regulatory review, as well as general reports from state and federal agencies on recent activities.

WHAT:       Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting
WHEN:       August 16, 2016, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE:      Hyatt Place, 1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
WHO:         NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

To receive more information, or to request a meeting agenda, please contact Beth Dieveney at 305-809-4710 or Beth.Dieveney@noaa.gov.

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, as well as shipwrecks and maritime heritage resources. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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 other social media channels.