The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill 10 primary and nine alternate seats on its advisory council. The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following seats:
• Commercial shipping (alternate).
• Conservation (primary).
• Education (primary and alternate).
• Fishing (primary and alternate).
• Hawaii Island representative (primary and alternate).
• Kauai representative (primary and alternate).
• Lanai representative (primary).
• Maui representative (primary).
• Native Hawaiian (alternate).
• Ocean recreation (primary).
• Research (primary and alternate).
• Tourism (alternate).
• Whale watching (primary and alternate).
The council ensures public participation in sanctuary matters and provides advice to sanctuary management.
“The members of our sanctuary advisory council represent extremely important elements of our community,” said Allen Tom, sanctuary superintendent. “We rely on their input, experience and expertise to assist us in making informed and timely decisions on how best to protect and conserve our humpback whales, and important cultural and natural resources.”
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 who are chosen as primary or alternate members should expect to serve a three-year term.
Applications are due by the end of Tuesday, Dec. 17.
To receive an application kit or for further information, contact Cindy Among-Serrao via email at Cindy.Among-Serrao@noaa.gov, by calling 725-5923 or by visiting the sanctuary website at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/council/council_app_accepting.html.
