NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seeks Applicants for Advisory Council

Jan. 21, 2010

NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill one primary seat and three alternate seats on its advisory council, which represents the public’s interests in sanctuary matters and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

“Advisory Council members play a vital role in the sanctuary, acting as conduits to community stakeholders and helping inform management decisions,” said acting sanctuary superintendent Sean Morton.

Specifically, the council's role is to provide the sanctuary superintendent with advice on the sanctuary’s resource protection, research, education and outreach programs. Recently, the council has focused on restoration, research, outreach and education, enforcement, maritime heritage resources surveys, marine spatial planning, and climate change.

The sanctuary is currently accepting applications for the primary member seat representing Tourism – Upper Keys.

The sanctuary is also accepting applications for alternate seats representing Conservation and Environment, Commercial Fishing – Shell/Scale, and Submerged Cultural Resources.  

Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources.  Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve three-year terms, pursuant to the council’s Charter. 

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in 1991 to assure continuous public participation in the management of the sanctuary. The volunteer council’s 40 voting members and alternates and its ex-officio members represent a variety of local user groups, the general public, and state and federal governmental jurisdictions.

Applications are due Feb. 12, 2010. To receive an application or for further information, please contact Lilli Ferguson at 305-292-0311 ext. 245, or by e-mail at Lilli.Ferguson@noaa.gov.  Application kits are also available for download on the sanctuary’s Web site, http://floridakeys.noaa.gov. Completed applications should be submitted to Lilli Ferguson, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 33 East Quay Rd., Key West, FL 33040.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,896 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, seagrass meadows, mangrove communities and sand flats. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit: http://www.noaa.gov.