Contact:
Carol Bernthal
360-457-6622 x11
NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Seeks Advisory Council Applicants
NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for two seats on its sanctuary advisory council representing commercial fishing and education. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.
Candidates will be selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and familiarity with 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 members of our advisory council represent our local, regional and national community," said Carol Bernthal, sanctuary superintendent. "Their input, experience and diverse expertise bring a broad range of perspectives to the table and assist the sanctuary in making informed and timely decisions on how to best to manage our marine wildlife and habitats. We look forward to having representatives from the education and commercial fishing communities participate to identify their unique perspectives on priorities for marine area stewardship."
The council consists of 15 voting seats, each with a primary and alternate member, representing a variety of public interest groups, local, state and tribal governments. In addition, the council includes five federal agencies serving as non-voting members. More information about the advisory council.
Applications are due Dec. 7. To receive an application, please contact Norma Klein by phone at 360-457-6622 x10; by email at norma.klein@noaa.gov; or by mail at 115 East Railroad Ave., Suite 301, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, designated in 1994, spans 3,200 square miles of marine waters off the rugged Olympic Peninsula coastline. The sanctuary protects a productive upwelling zone - home to marine mammal and seabird faunas, diverse populations of kelp and intertidal algae, and thriving invertebrate communities. The sanctuary is also rich in cultural resources, with over 150 documented historical shipwrecks and the vibrant contemporary cultures of Makah, Hoh and Quileute Tribes and the Quinault Indian Nation.
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.