National Marine Sanctuary News

Keeley Belva,
Hawaii Islands Humpback Whale
National Marine Sanctuary
(808) 397-2651

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking applicants to fill five vacant alternate slots and one vacant primary for its Sanctuary Advisory Council.

The vacancies are alternate members from Kauai and Maui counties, and from the Education, Fishing, and Native Hawaiian communities. The primary seat is for the Native Hawaiian community. The seats are vacant because current terms have expired.

The general public is welcome to apply. 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 Hawaii. Non-governmental terms run for two years and members will serve without pay. The Council meets on average once every two to four months, depending on issues. Applicants must be Hawaii residents. Current holders of seats may re-apply.

A council member application package may be obtained by contacting Keeley Belva at (808) 397-2651 or by email at: Keeley.Belva@noaa.gov. Application packages are also available at the Sanctuary Web site: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/. Completed applications should be mailed to Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 6700 Kalaniana’ole Highway, Suite 104, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825. Applications must be received by December 5, 2003.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in March 1996 to provide advice and recommendations on managing and protecting humpback whales. The Council is composed of 16 government and 15 non-governmental representatives, and represents community interests and concerns to the sanctuary and NOAA. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is administered through a partnership of NOAA and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The shallow, warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands constitute one of the world's most important humpback whale habitats. Approximately two-thirds of the entire North Pacific humpback whale population migrates to Hawaiian waters each winter to engage in calving, nursing and breeding activities.

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. In addition, the NMSP is conducting a sanctuary designation process to incorporate the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve into the national sanctuary system.

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 Internet:
NOAA - http://www.noaa.gov
National Ocean Service: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov
National Marine Sanctuary Program: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary:
http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov