Availability of Seats for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

AGENCY:

National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION:

Notice and request for applications.

SUMMARY:

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS or Sanctuary) is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (Council): Business/Commerce, Citizen-At-Large, Commercial Shipping, Conservation, Fishing, Native Hawaiian, Ocean Recreation, Tourism, and Whale Watching. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the conservation and management of marine resources; and the length of residence in the area affected by the Sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve two-year terms, pursuant to the Council's Charter.

DATES:

Applications are due by June 30, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Application kits may be obtained from Kellie Araki at 6700 Kalanianaole Hwy., Suite 104, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825. Completed applications should be sent to the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kellie Araki at (808) 397-2651, or kellie.araki@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The HIHWNMS Council was originally established in March 1996 (the current Council was selected in July 1998) and has a broad representation consisting of 25 members. The Council represents the coordination link between the Sanctuary and the state and federal management agencies, Native Hawaiians, user groups, researchers, educators, policy makers, and other various groups that help to focus efforts and attention on the humpback whale and its habitat.

The Council functions in an advisory capacity to the Sanctuary Manager and is instrumental in helping produce annual operating plans and reports by identifying education, outreach, research, long-term monitoring, resource protection and revenue enhancement priorities. The Council works in concert with the Sanctuary Manager by keeping him or her informed about issues of concern throughout the Sanctuary, offering recommendations on specific issues, and aiding the Manager in achieving the goals of the Sanctuary program within the context of Hawaii's marine programs and policies.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. Section 1431 et seq.