NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary seeks advisory council applicants

February 13, 2015

NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is currently seeking applicants to fill one alternate seat on its advisory council. The advisory council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

The sanctuary is accepting applications for the Fishing – Charter Fishing Flats Guide seat.

“With such a rich tradition of flats fishing in the Keys, we want to ensure the flats guides’ experience and expertise is adequately represented on our advisory council,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “Having an alternate representative in place is important for ensuring that flats charter guides have a voice on the council throughout the marine zoning and regulatory review process.”

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 March 31. To receive an application kit, or for further information, please contact council coordinator Beth Dieveney via email at beth.dieveney@noaa.gov, by phone at 305-809-4700 ext. 228, 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, http://floridakeys.noaa.gov.

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.

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