Sanctuary advisory councils are an important provision within the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and play a vital role advising sanctuary staff and NOAA on sanctuary operations, including education and outreach, research and science, cultural considerations, regulations and enforcement, and management planning. Council members also play an important role as liaisons between their constituents in the community and sanctuary leadership.

In the spring, Papahānaumokuākea staff will work to transition the existing Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council into a Sanctuary Advisory Council.

The existing Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council (RAC), formed in 2001, was created by Executive Order 13178 pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to provide advice and recommendations on the reserve operations plan and designation and management of any sanctuary. The RAC has also served as a mechanism for public input and a venue for public comment on Papahānaumokuākea management activities. As the RAC was created pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and operates per the policies and procedures of a Sanctuary Advisory Council, the RAC is effectively already a Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Get Involved

Those interested in helping to shape the future of Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary can subscribe to the sanctuary's listserv for future updates on advisory council membership and recruitment.