NOAA
2004-R408 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ben Sherman 2/4/04 |
NOAA
News Releases 2004 NOAA Home Page NOAA Public Affairs |
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary announces the appointment of seven members and alternates to serve on the site’s Sanctuary Advisory Council. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. “We gain critical advice and assistance from our 20 member advisory council that is vital to the on-going management of the sanctuary,” said Sanctuary Superintendent William Douros. “We are very pleased to welcome new members to the council and welcome back some experienced members reappointed for another term. We deeply appreciate the time and energy they commit to making the sanctuary a success.” Named to fill open seats for agriculture, fishing, recreation, research, conservation and at-large representatives are the following individuals:
Sanctuary Advisory Council members and alternates serve three-year terms. Alternates attend meetings when members are not available and assume a seat if a member resigns. The advisory council meets bi-monthly in daytime public sessions located throughout the 276-mile stretch of coast bordering the sanctuary. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in March 1994 to assure continued public participation in the management of the sanctuary. Serving in a volunteer capacity, the advisory council’s 20 voting members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public, plus seven local, state and federal government jurisdictions. Since its establishment, the advisory council has played a vital role in advising the sanctuary and NOAA on critical issues and is currently focused on the sanctuary’s development of a new five-year management plan. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary stretches along 276 miles of central California coast and encompasses more than 5,300 square miles of ocean area. Renowned for its scenic beauty and remarkable productivity, the sanctuary supports one of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems, including 33 species of marine mammals, 94 species of seabirds, 345 species of fishes and thousands of marine invertebrates and plants. NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) seeks to increase the public awareness of America’s maritime heritage by conducting scientific research, monitoring, exploration and educational programs. Today, the sanctuary program manages 13 national marine sanctuaries and one coral reef ecosystem reserve that encompass more than 150,000 square miles of America’s ocean and Great Lakes natural and cultural resources. NOAA’s National Ocean Service manages the NMSP 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. The Commerce Department’s 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 Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary: http://montereybay.noaa.gov |