Contact:
Karrie Carnes, 305-809-4700, ext. 236
NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Seeks Advisory Council Applicants
NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for six primary members and eight alternates on its advisory council, which ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.
"Advisory council members are important conduits to the community, helping inform sanctuary management decisions," said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. "Council members selected this term will play a critical role in shaping the future of marine conservation during the sanctuary's marine zoning and regulatory review."
The sanctuary is accepting applications for primary members representing the following seats: Citizen-at-Large/Middle Keys; Conservation and Environment; Education and Outreach; Commercial Shell/Scale Fishing; Submerged Cultural Resources; and Tourism/Upper Keys.
The sanctuary is also accepting applications for alternate members representing: Citizen-at-Large/Lower Keys; Citizen-at-Large/Middle Keys; Conservation and Environment; Education and Outreach; Commercial Shell/Scale Fishing; South Florida Ecosystem Restoration; Submerged Cultural Resources; and Tourism/Upper Keys.
Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, and community and professional affiliations. 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 July 31. To receive an application kit, or for further information, please contact council coordinator Lilli Ferguson via e-mail at Lilli.Ferguson@noaa.gov; by phone at 305-809-4700 ext. 245; 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.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadow, mangrove communities and sand flats. 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 us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.
On the Web:
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
