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MBNMS
Sanctuary Advisory Council Home Page
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The Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council was established by Federal
law to assure continued public participation in the management of the
Sanctuary. Since its establishment in March 1994, the Advisory Council has played
a vital role in the decisions affecting the Sanctuary along the central
California Coast. The Advisory Council's twenty voting members represent the following user groups: Agriculture, At-Large, Business/Industry, Commercial Fishing, Conservation, Diving, Education, Recreation, Recreational Fishing, Research and Tourism, plus seven local and
state governmental jurisdictions. In addition, the respective
managers for the four California National Marine Sanctuaries (Channel
Islands, Cordell Bank,
Gulf of the Farallones, and Monterey Bay), the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research
Reserve and the U.S. Coast Guard sit as non-voting members. Members are appointed competitively
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and serve three-year
terms. The Advisory Council meets bi-monthly in open sessions located throughout
the almost 300-mile boundary of the Sanctuary.
The following list includes some of the major issues the Advisory Council
has addressed:
- Joint Management Plan Review
- Oil & Gas Exploration
- Cruise Ship Discharges
- NOAA Coordination on Fishing Issues
- Fiber Optic Cables
- Kelp Harvesting & Management
- Southern Sea Otter Translocation Program
- Vessel Traffic Safety
- Coast Highway 1 Management Plan
- Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP)
- Assessment of the National Marine Sanctuary Program
- Collection of Jade at Jade Cove
- Prohibition of Chumming for Great White Sharks
- Moving ATOC (Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate) Project Outside Sanctuary Boundaries
- Decommission of Select National Weather Buoys
- National and the World Ocean's Conference
- Advisory Council Charter and Protocols
- State Mussel Watch Program
The Advisory Council is supported by four working groups: the Research
Activity Panel (RAP), the
Sanctuary Education Panel (SEP), the
Conservation Working Group (CWG), and the Business
and Tourism Activity Panel (BTAP). The working
groups are composed of experts from the appropriate fields of interest
and meet monthly or bimonthly, to serve as invaluable advisors
to the Advisory Council and the Sanctuary Superintendent.
Dedicated
Advisory Council members have laid a strong foundation for the Sanctuary's structure,
policies, and procedures. Sanctuary goals to promote research, education
and resource protection are a major focus for the Advisory Council, and members
work diligently to promote public stewardship. The Advisory Council has proven
to be a powerful voice for the general public, responding to citizen concerns,
ideas and needs. The Advisory Council provides a public forum for its constituents,
working to enhance communications and provide a conduit for bringing the
concerns of user groups and stakeholders to the attention of Sanctuary
Superintendents and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Headquarters
in Washington, D.C.
The Advisory Council
maintains a firm commitment to the goals and objectives of the Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The Advisory Council appreciates the efforts
of volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, and citizens, without
whose support the mission of the Sanctuary would be difficult to realize.
Thank you for your interest in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. If you have questions, or wish to join the advisory council, feel free to contact the Santuary Advisory Council Coordinator.
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| Monterey Bay and Gulf of the Farallones Advisory Council members at Elkus Ranch in Half Moon Bay after the joint advisory council meeting on February 18, 2010 |
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