Recruitment

NOAA’s Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) is seeking applicants for five primary and six alternate seats on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the superintendent.

PNMS is currently accepting applications for the following seats:

• Citizen-At-Large (Alternate)
• Commercial Fishing (Primary and Alternate)
• Conservation (Two Primary)
• Education (Alternate)
• Native Hawaiian Elder (Alternate)
• Native Hawaiian (Primary and two Alternates)
• Research (Primary)

The application period opens on November 24, 2025. Completed applications are due by January 23, 2026 at 5 p.m. Applications not received by 5 p.m. on January 23, 2026 will not be considered.

"Having community representatives who are fully engaged in our advisory council process is an essential part of the overall success of our team," said Eric Roberts, NOAA's superintendent for Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. "Their input is an integral part of protecting this special place."

Originally established in 2000 as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council, the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting the sanctuary, inclusive of the reserve. Serving in a volunteer capacity, council members represent a range of local user groups and the general public. Members are appointed to three-year terms and are expected to attend quarterly meetings, held in person or virtually. The council is composed of 15 primary and alternate members representing diverse public interest groups, along with 10 seats for federal and state government agencies.

Applications are due by January 23, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Contact:
Sara Wood
(808) 807-2557
sara.wood@noaa.gov

Sanctuary advisory councils are an important provision within the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and play a vital role advising sanctuary staff and NOAA on sanctuary operations, including education and outreach, research and science, cultural considerations, regulations and enforcement, and management planning. Council members also play an important role as liaisons between their constituents in the community and sanctuary leadership.

In the spring, Papahānaumokuākea staff will work to transition the existing Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council into a Sanctuary Advisory Council.

The existing Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council (RAC), formed in 2001, was created by Executive Order 13178 pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to provide advice and recommendations on the reserve operations plan and designation and management of any sanctuary. The RAC has also served as a mechanism for public input and a venue for public comment on Papahānaumokuākea management activities. As the RAC was created pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and operates per the policies and procedures of a Sanctuary Advisory Council, the RAC is effectively already a Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Get Involved

Those interested in helping to shape the future of Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary can subscribe to the sanctuary's listserv for future updates on advisory council membership and recruitment.