Press Releases

NOAA'S Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Seeks Advisory Council Applicants

NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill three seats on its advisory council, which represents the public's interests in sanctuary matters and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

The sanctuary is now accepting applications for one primary member seat representing Research. Applications also are being sought for two alternate member seats representing Conservation.

Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and knowledge regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen should expect to serve three-year terms. Alternates attend meetings when primary members are not available and assume a seat if a primary member resigns.

The advisory council consists of primary and alternate members representing a variety of public interest groups. It also includes six governmental seats representing state and federal jurisdictions. The council was established in March 2001 to assure continuous public participation in the management of the sanctuary. Recently, the council has focused on issues of marine spatial planning, ocean acidification and maritime heritage preservation.

Applications are due April 21, 2011. To receive an application kit, or for further information please contact Elizabeth Stokes via e-mail at Elizabeth.Stokes@noaa.gov; by phone at 781-545-8026 X 201; or by mail at 175 Edward Foster Road, Scituate, MA 02066. Application kits can also be downloaded from the sanctuary's website.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 842 square miles of ocean, stretching between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. Renowned for its remarkable productivity, the sanctuary supports a rich diversity of marine life including 22 species of marine mammals, more than 53 species of seabirds, in excess of 80 species of fishes, and hundreds of marine invertebrates.

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.

On the Web:

NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries