FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2008

Contact: Mary Grady, 808-397-2651, ext. 257

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Appoints New Advisory Council Members

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has selected eight new primary members and six alternates to serve on its advisory council. The new appointees bring a valuable range of experience to the council, which provides sanctuary staff with input and recommendations on sanctuary programs and management.

“The sanctuary is extremely excited with the selection of these new members,” said sanctuary superintendent Naomi McIntosh. “We look forward to working with them to continue to develop program efforts that enhance protection for Hawaii’s humpback whales.”

The newly appointed advisory council members and alternates are as follows, by position:

• Kaua‘i County: James Yamamoto; Don Thornburg (alternate)
• Hawai‘i County: Luana Howell; Victoria Newman (alternate)
• Honolulu County: Bill Friedl; Chris Evans (alternate)
• Maui County: Cheryl Sterling; William Worcester (alternate)
• Education: Liz Kumabe, Oahu; Jennifer Barrett, Oahu (alternate)
• Fishing: Bob Bruck, Maui
• Native Hawaiian: Merleene Kirkland, Hawaii
• Research: Adam Pack, Oahu; Marc Lammers, Oahu (alternate)

Established in 1996, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting humpback whales. The council is composed of 16 government and 15 non-governmental representatives. Serving in a volunteer capacity, the advisory council represents a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public. Sanctuary advisory council primary and alternate members serve two-year terms, meeting bi-monthly in public sessions.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is administered by a partnership between NOAA and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. The shallow, warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian islands constitute one of the world’s most important humpback whale habitats. Approximately two-thirds of the entire north Pacific humpback whale population migrates to Hawaiian waters each winter to engage in calving, nursing and breeding activities.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

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On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Ocean Service: http://www.oceanservice.noaa.gov

National Marine Sanctuary Program: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov