Sanctuary council seats open

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Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill seven alternate and one primary seat on its advisory council.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill seven alternate and one primary seat on its advisory council.

The council ensures public participation in sanctuary matters and provides advice to sanctuary management.

“The members of our advisory council represent an extremely important element of our community,” said Malia Chow, sanctuary superintendent. “Their input, experience and expertise assist sanctuary managers in making informed and timely decisions on how best to protect and conserve our important cultural and natural resources.”

The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following seats: commercial shipping (primary), commercial shipping (alternate), Hawaii County (alternate), Lanai Island (alternate), citizen-at-large (alternate), education (alternate), tourism (alternate), and whale watching (alternate).

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 should expect to serve a two-year term.

Applications are due June 30. To receive an application kit or for further information, contact council coordinator Shannon Lyday via email at Shannon.Lyday@noaa.gov; by phone at 725-5905; or visit the sanctuary website at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/council/council_app_accepting.html.

The sanctuary is administered by a partnership of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the state of Hawaii through the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The sanctuary works to protect humpback whales through research, education, conservation and stewardship.