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2002-R424 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stephanie Balian 7/11/02 |
NOAA News Releases 2002 NOAA Home Page NOAA Public Affairs |
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Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, managed by the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is seeking applicants for nine sanctuary advisory council seats. The seats available are for non-governmental members and include business/commerce, citizen-at-large, commercial shipping, conservation, fishing, native Hawaiian, ocean recreation, tourism and whale watching positions. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in March 1996 to provide advice and recommendations on managing and protecting humpback whales. The council is comprised of ten government and 15 non-governmental representatives, and represents community interests and concerns to the sanctuary and NOAA. Non-governmental terms run for two years and members will serve without pay. The council meets on average once every two to four months, depending on issues. Applicants must be Hawai‘i residents. 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. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is a partnership of NOAA and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources. A council member application package may be obtained by contacting Amy Glester at (808) 397-2655 or by e-mail at: Amy.Glester@noaa.gov. Application packages are also available at the sanctuary Web Site http://www.hihwnms.nos.noaa.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to Amy Glester, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 6700 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite 104, Honolulu, HI 96825. Interested persons must submit applications by August 15, 2002. The National Marine Sanctuary Program seeks to increase the public awareness of America's maritime heritage by conducting scientific research, monitoring, exploration, and educational programs. Today, 13 national marine sanctuaries encompass more than 18,000 square miles of America's ocean and Great Lakes natural and cultural resources. In addition, the NMSP is now conducting a sanctuary designation process to eventually incorporate the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve into the national sanctuary system. NOAA's National Ocean Service manages the National Marine Sanctuary Program, and is dedicated to exploring, understanding, conserving, and restoring the nation's coasts and oceans. NOAA Ocean Service balances environmental protection with economic prosperity in fulfilling its mission of promoting safe navigation, supporting coastal communities, sustaining coastal habitats, and mitigating coastal hazards. To learn more about NOAA Ocean
Service and the National Marine Sanctuary Program, please visit
http://www.nos.noaa.gov. |