NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
appoints advisory council members

NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary announced seven primary and six alternate members to serve new terms on its sanctuary advisory council. The appointees bring a valuable range of experience to the council, which provides the sanctuary superintendent with input and recommendations on sanctuary programs and management.

“The sanctuary advisory council is not only critical to the current marine zoning and regulatory review process, but serves as an important forum for public opinion and feedback as well,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “As our newest members join the council, we encourage the public to build relationships with their council representatives and actively engage in the process.”

The newly appointed advisory council members, who began their terms this month, are:

• Bruce Popham, boating industry
• David Makepeace, citizen-at-large – Upper Keys
• Susan Roebling, citizen-at-large – Upper Keys
• Robert Mitchell, diving – Upper Keys
• Steven Leopold, fishing – charter sports fishing
• Jack Curlett, fishing – recreational
• David Vaughan, research and monitoring
• Clinton Barras, tourism – Lower Keys

The appointed alternates are:

• Timothy Grollimund, diving – Upper Keys
• Robert Harris, fishing – charter sports fishing
• Bruce Frerer, fishing – recreational
• Shelly Krueger, research and monitoring
• Joseph Weatherby, tourism – Lower Keys

Designated by Congress in 1990 and established in 1992, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary advisory council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting the sanctuary. The council includes 20 representatives and alternates from community constituent groups and 11 non-voting government representatives. Serving in a voluntary capacity, the council members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public.

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. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us online at floridakeys.noaa.gov or on Facebook.

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