The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve is seeking applicants for five primary and alternate seats on its advisory council.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve is seeking applicants for five primary and alternate seats on its advisory council.
The council ensures public participation in reserve management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.
“Community representatives on our advisory council are an extremely important part of our team,” said Athline Clark, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries superintendent for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. “Their input is an integral part of managing this special place.”
The reserve is accepting applications for the following seats: commercial fishing (primary and alternate); Native Hawaiian (alternate); and Native Hawaiian elder (primary and alternate).
Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve a two-year term or until a different advisory body is created pursuant to Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument’s management plan.
The advisory council consists of 15 primary and alternate members representing a variety of public interest groups, including conservation, education, research, and ocean-related commercial and recreational activities, as well as the Native Hawaiian community and 10 governmental seats. Applications are due May 31.
For an application kit or more information, contact Allison Ikeda, policy and program specialist, via email at Allison.Ikeda@noaa.gov or call 725-5818. Applications also can be downloaded at www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/council.