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

August 15, 2013

NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for seven members and six alternates on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

“Advisory council members are critical conduits to the community, providing important information from stakeholder groups to help inform sanctuary management decisions,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “Council members selected this term will play a critical role in helping shape the future of marine conservation during the sanctuary’s marine zoning and regulatory review.”

The sanctuary is currently accepting applications for the alternates representing the following seats: Boating Industry, member; Citizen at Large Upper Keys, member and alternate; Diving Upper Keys, member and alternate; Charter Sports Fishing, member and alternate; Recreational Fishing, member and alternate; Research and Monitoring, member and alternate; Tourism Lower Keys, member and alternate.

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 advisory council consists of 40 primary and alternate members representing a variety of public interest groups. It also includes primary and alternate representatives from 11 government agencies.

Applications are due September 30. To receive an application kit, or for further information, please contact Sanctuary Administrative Assistant by email at hannah.weddington@noaa.gov or by phone at 305-809-4700 ext. 241, or by mail at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 33 East Quay Rd., Key West, FL  33040. Application kits may also be downloaded from the Sanctuary’s website at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/sac/welcome.html.

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 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 channels.