Advisory council meeting to discuss wildlife refuges, sea turtles, and mutton snapper

April 1, 2008

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, April 15, 2008, at the Marathon Garden Center, 5270 Overseas Highway, Marathon, from at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be opportunities for public comment at 10:10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Highlights of the morning include a presentation by Mike Bresette of Inwater Research Group, Inc. on the vulnerability of sea turtles near Key West Refuge and Marquesas Keys.

Dr. David Vaughan, SAC member and Director for Mote Marine Laboratory, will be presenting as part of the council’s ongoing presentation series on environmental education and outreach.

Afternoon speakers include John Hunt, Program Administrator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who will present a Mutton Snapper Stock Assessment Report, and Anne Morkill of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discussing management challenges of Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges.

Additional sessions include a report from the council’s Ecosystem Restoration Working Group and a summary of the sanctuary’s March algae bloom workshop.

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 Website at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov. A current list of SAC members may be found at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/sac/members.html.