APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR ADVISORY COUNCIL
AT HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants to fill seven vacant primary seats and 10 vacant alternate seats for its sanctuary advisory council. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The vacancies are for the following seats: business/commerce, citizen-at-large, commercial shipping, conservation, education, fishing, native Hawaiian, ocean recreation, tourism and whale watching.

Applicants are chosen based upon their expertise and experience in the field for which they are applying. Considerations include community and professional affiliations, philosophy regarding the conservation and management of marine resources, and the length of residence in Hawaii. The non-governmental terms run for two years and members serve without pay. The council meets on average once every two to four months, depending on issues. Applicants must be Hawaii residents, and the general public is welcome to apply. Current seat holders may re-apply.

A council member application package may be obtained by contacting Keeley Belva at (808) 397-2651 or by email: Keeley.Belva@noaa.gov. Application packages are also available at the sanctuary Web site: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/. Completed applications should be mailed to Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 6700 Kalaniana’ole Highway, Suite 104, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825. Applications must be received by July 12.

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 composed of 16 government and 15 non-governmental representatives, and represents community interests and concerns to the sanctuary and NOAA. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is administered through a partnership of 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 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 and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve encompass more than 150,000 square miles of natural, cultural and historic resources in the nation’s oceans and Great Lakes.

NOAA’s National Ocean Service manages the sanctuary program and is dedicated to exploring, understanding, conserving and restoring the nation’s coasts and oceans. The National 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.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

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

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

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