1. ONMS
  2. WCNMS
  3. SAC
  4. Roles & Seats

Sanctuary Advisory Council Roles and Seats

The Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast Sanctuary Advisory Council's 15 voting members will represent a variety of interests, from recreation and tourism to education and research. The membership is designed to balance points of view represented, geographic diversity, and advisory functions the council will perform.

All Voting Seats

  • ability and willingness to communicate with the users or stakeholders the seat represents;
  • ability and willingness to engage with stakeholders to promote collaborations and other partnerships with the sanctuary; and
  • commitment and availability to attend up to six advisory council meetings annually and participate in working groups as desired.

Citizen-at-Large: 3 Seats

  • reside in the sanctuary region;
  • proven ability to communicate with members in communities near the sanctuary;
  • experience and/or knowledge regarding Great Lakes conservation and resource protection issues in the sanctuary;
  • experience and/or knowledge regarding public uses and activities in the sanctuary; and
  • freedom to express views and cast votes without consideration of any expectations held by an employer or other organization with which the member is affiliated.

Diving/Dive Clubs/Archaeology: 2 Seats

  • affiliation with divers, dive clubs, and/or archaeology organizations (both terrestrial and underwater) active in communities near the sanctuary;
  • knowledge of diving and/or archeological practices within the sanctuary region; and
  • ability and willingness to effectively communicate with divers, dive clubs, researchers, and the broader community on the subjects of shipwreck exploration, diving in the sanctuary, and archaeology.

History, Heritage, and Public Interpretation: 2 Seats

  • affiliation with local, regional, and state history organizations, museums, and/or related organizations active in communities near the sanctuary;
  • ability to effectively communicate with multiple organizations and the broader community of maritime and non-maritime historians in the sanctuary region;
  • familiarity with local, regional, state, or national history connected with the sanctuary; and
  • experience working with or representing history and interpretive organizations, especially those involved with Great Lakes maritime heritage.

Education (K-12): 1 Seat

  • affiliation with elementary, junior high, or high school educational institutions or organizations active in the sanctuary region;
  • ability to effectively communicate with multiple institutions and educators; and
  • experience, ability, and availability to conduct education-focused outreach with the education community.

Higher Education: 1 Seat

  • affiliation with higher education institutions (vocational schools, universities, or colleges) or organizations in the sanctuary region;
  • ability to effectively communicate with multiple institutions and educators; and
  • experience, ability, and availability to conduct education-focused outreach with the education community.

Tourism and Marketing: 2 Seats

  • familiarity and affiliation with the tourism industry in communities near the sanctuary,
  • understanding of the links between tourism, sanctuary resources, and human activities; and
  • ability and willingness to communicate with tourism partners throughout the sanctuary area.

Economic Development: 1 Seat

  • familiarity and affiliation with local businesses in communities near the sanctuary;
  • understanding of the links between local business, sanctuary resources, and human activities; and
  • ability and willingness to communicate with key representatives from local businesses through the sanctuary area.

Fishing: 1 Seat (recreational, charter, and/or commercial)

  • affiliation with individual fishers, fishing organizations, charters, and/or businesses within the sanctuary region;
  • knowledge of fishing activities within the sanctuary region;
  • breadth of experience and knowledge regarding fisheries policies and practices affecting the sanctuary; and
  • ability and willingness to communicate with key recreational fishing stakeholders and partners.Recreation: 1 Seat
  • familiarity and affiliation with recreational activities and organizations active in communities in the sanctuary region;
  • knowledge of recreational activities (power boating, sailing, paddle sports, surfing, etc.) within the sanctuary region; and
  • ability and willingness to communicate with key recreational stakeholders and partners.

Maritime Industry: 1 Seat

  • familiarity and affiliation with Great Lakes related business and industries;
  • knowledge of maritime industry and business activities within the sanctuary region; and
  • ability and willingness to communicate with key maritime industry/business stakeholders and partners.