![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090509033212im_/http://channelislands.noaa.gov//manplan/images/overview.gif)
The Channel
Island National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
(SAC or Council) was established
in December 1998 to assure continued public participation in management
of the Sanctuary. Since its establishment, the Council has played
a vital role in the decisions affecting the Sanctuary, bringing
valuable community advice and expertise to the task of assuring
effective Sanctuary management. The Council provides a public
forum for consultation and community deliberation on resource
management issues affecting the waters surrounding the Channel
Islands.
One of the Council's most important strengths comes from the diversity
of its membership. The Council consists
of twenty-one voting members and twenty-two alternates that represent
the general public, tourism, business, recreational fishing, commercial
fishing, non-consumptive recreation, education, research, conservation
and Chumash community interests, as well as local, State and Federal
government agencies. Additionally, the respective managers of
three California National Marine Sanctuaries (Channel Islands,
Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay) participate as non-voting
members of the Council. The in-depth and varied knowledge of these
individuals, especially related to Sanctuary resources and values,
combines to form a highly valuable collective body of expertise
and experience.
The Council's objectives are to provide the Sanctuary manager
with advice on:
Protecting natural and cultural resources, and identifying and
evaluating emergent or critical issues involving Sanctuary use
or resources;
Identifying and realizing the Sanctuary's research objectives;
Identifying and realizing educational opportunities to increase
the public knowledge and stewardship of the Sanctuary environment;
and
Assisting to develop an informed constituency to increase awareness
and understanding of the purpose and value of the Sanctuary and
the National Marine Sanctuary Program.
SAC representatives are appointed competitively by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and serve voluntary two-year
terms. The Council meets bi-monthly in open public sessions located
throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Public participation
at these meetings is welcomed and encouraged. More information
on how the Council conducts its business can be found in the Sanctuary
Advisory Council's Charter and additional
guiding protocols.
The Council is supported by a number of working
groups the Conservation Working Group, the
Sanctuary Education Team (SET), Commercial
Fishing Working Group, the Recreational Fishing
Working Group and the Research Activities Panel.
These working groups are created by and operate under the purview
of the Council, and help to bring additional community members
and experts to the SAC to focus on specific issues. Some working
groups meet on a bi-monthly basis, while others meet on a less
frequent basis as deemed necessary. A graphic overview of the
various working groups is presented
here.
Thank you for your interest in the Channel Islands Sanctuary Advisory
Council. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Sanctuary
Advisory Coordinator by e-mail or phone at (805) 884-1464. To
keep informed about upcoming public meetings of the Sanctuary
Advisory Council, or opportunities to apply for Council membership,
sign up to receive notifications
here.
We invite you to check this web site for information on upcoming
Advisory Council meetings, and hope that you can join us!