Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, managed by the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA), is seeking applicants to fill several member and alternate Sanctuary Advisory Council seats. The Council brings together members of a diverse community to provide advice to the sanctuary manager on the management and protection of the sanctuary.

The sanctuary is accepting applications for members on the following (voting) seats: research (2), education (2), conservation (2), marine transportation (1), recreation (1), whale-watching (1), mobile gear commercial fishing (1), fixed gear commercial fishing (1), business/industry (1), and at-large (3). Additionally, the sanctuary is seeking applicants for the following alternate (non-voting seats): research (2), education (2), conservation (2), marine transportation (1), recreation (1), whale- watching (1), mobile gear commercial fishing (1), fixed gear commercial fishing (1), business/industry (1), and at-large (3).

Members and alternates may serve two-or three-year terms, depending on the seat. The council meets four times a year, in daytime public sessions located between the south shore and north shore Boston region. Applicants are chosen based upon their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying. Considerations include community and professional affiliations, philosophy regarding the conservation and management of marine resources, and the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary.

Council application packages are available at the sanctuary Web site, http://stellwagen.nos.noaa.gov/management/welcome.html or can be obtained by calling Ruthetta Halbower at (781) 545-8026, Ext. 201. Completed council application packages must be received by close of business Feb. 20, 2004, at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Office, 175 Edward Foster Rd, Scituate, MA 02066.

The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in March 2001 to assure continued public participation in the management of the sanctuary. Serving in a volunteer capacity, the Council’s 15 voting members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public, plus six local, state and federal government jurisdictions. Since its establishment, the 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 Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 842 square miles of ocean, stretching between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. Renowned for its scenic beauty and remarkable productivity, the sanctuary supports a rich diversity of marine life including marine mammals, more than 30 species of seabirds, over 100 species of fishes, and hundreds 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, 13 national marine sanctuaries encompass more than 18,000 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 - https://oceanservice.noaa.gov
National Marine Sanctuary Program - http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary - http://stellwagen.nos.noaa.gov