[SEMCO] Sanctuary Seeks Advisory Council Applicants

[Anne Smrcina]

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Contact: Anne Smrcina, SBNMS *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
781-545-8026 EXT. 204 April 22, 2010

*NOAA’S STELLWAGEN BANK/ /NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
SEEKS ADVISORY COUNCIL APPLICANTS*

NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank/ /National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill 16 
seats on its advisory council, which represents the public’s interests 
in sanctuary matters and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

The sanctuary is accepting applications for primary and alternate seats 
representing Research, Conservation, Whale Watching, Fixed Gear 
Commercial Fishing, Mobile Gear Commercial Fishing, Diving, Education, 
Business and Industry, and At-Large.

Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in 
relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and 
professional affiliations, and knowledge regarding the protection and 
management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as members 
should expect to serve two- to three-year terms.

“Each member brings a unique perspective to the council based on his or 
her long experience in the New England area,” said Craig MacDonald, 
sanctuary superintendent. “We are very pleased that council members 
offer their considerable talents to help us manage the resources of 
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.”

The Stellwagen Bank/ /Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in 
March 2001 to assure continuous public participation in the management 
of the sanctuary. Specifically, the council provides the sanctuary 
superintendent with advice on the sanctuary’s resource protection, 
research, education and outreach programs. The volunteer council’s 17 
voting members and 6 ex-officio members represent a variety of local 
user groups, the general public, and state and federal governmental 
jurisdictions.

Applications are due June 1, 2010/. /To receive an application kit, or 
for further information, please contact Elizabeth Stokes by e-mail at 
Elizabeth.stokes at noaa.gov <mailto:Elizabeth.stokes at noaa.gov>; by phone 
at 781-545-8026 X 201; or by mail at Stellwagen Bank National Marine 
Sanctuary, 175 Edward Foster Road, Scituate, MA 02066.

Designated in 1992, 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 22 
species of marine mammals, more than 53 species of seabirds, more than 
60 species of fishes, and hundreds of marine invertebrates.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment, from 
the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and 
manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

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On the Web:
Stellwagen Bank/ /National Marine Sanctuary: http://stellwagen.noaa.gov//
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov