Advisers sought for NOAA marine sanctuary

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NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for six seats on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

The advisory council consists of 22 seats with 42 primary and alternate members representing a variety of public interest groups, state and federal agencies, and tribes, including: research, commercial fishing, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard, Olympic National Park, U.S. Geological Survey, four Coastal Treaty Tribes and others.

“Members of our advisory council represent a vibrant and diverse body of expertise from our community,” said Carol Bernthal, sanctuary superintendent. “Their input and experience assist the sanctuary in making well-informed decisions on how to best manage and protect our cultural and natural resources. Advisory council members equip us with increased capacity to problem solve around the issues we face in today’s age.”

The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following seats: conservation (primary and alternate); marine industry (primary and alternate); and tourism/economic development (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 should expect to serve a three-year term.

Applications are due on Dec. 31, 2014. To receive an application kit or for further information, contact Karlyn Langjahr, sanctuary advisory council coordinator, at

karlyn.langjahr@noaa.gov or 360-457-6622, ext. 31; or Norma Klein, office administrator, at norma.klein@noaa.gov, 360-457-6622, ext. 10; or by mail: Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, 115 E. Railroad Ave., Suite 301, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Application kits can also be downloaded from the sanctuary’s website at

tinyurl.com/cjxskat.