Sanctuary Advisory Council Recruitment

A basket star is an unusual looking sea star that has a mass of twisting and turning arms.
Photo: NOAA

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is now currently seeking applicants for the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC). The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent. The SAC holds meetings every two months within the regions of the Olympic Peninsula and occasionally Puget Sound. SAC activities are governed by Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Charter and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries National Sanctuary Advisory Council Handbook.

CURRENT VACANCIES (2):

  • Research - Alternate
  • Conservation - Primary

Applications will be accepted through Monday, December 29, 2023

Advisory Council Seat Application Form (335 KB PDF)

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. Primary seats represent a certain agency, tribe, user, or stakeholder group. Alternate seats fill a particular seat in the absence of the primary seat.

The advisory council consists of voting and non-voting seats. Voting seats include seven primary and seven alternate non-governmental members:

  • Citizen-at-large (providing a general overview of and links to the community at large)
  • Marine Business and Industry (representing ports, shipping, and transportation)
  • Conservation (representing conservation and environmental organizations);
  • Research
  • Education
  • Fishing (representing commercial fishing, charter fishing, and/or recreational fishing)
  • Tourism and Economic Development (representing business, economic development, tourism, recreation, and chambers of commerce)

There are also eight governmental seats representing:

  • Hoh Tribe
  • Jefferson, Clallam, or Grays Harbor counties
  • Makah Tribe
  • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Quileute Tribe
  • Washington Department of Natural Resources
  • Quinault Indian Nation
  • Washington Department of Ecology

Non-voting seats on the council include:

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • NOAA Fisheries
  • U.S. National Park Service
  • Grays Harbor Marine Resource Committee
  • U.S. Coast Guard
  • North Pacific Coast Marine Resource Committee
  • U.S. Navy

The Importance of Diversity

Whether within a natural ecosystem or a human community, diversity creates strength and resilience. NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries values the remarkable diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experience found throughout sanctuary communities, and invites a wide range of individuals to seek membership on our sanctuary advisory councils. With a diverse membership, advisory councils can broaden access to understanding and participation in marine conservation and governance, foster innovation and creative problem solving, and can help advance the mission of the National Marine Sanctuary System.

"National marine sanctuaries are dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of America’s marine and cultural legacy," said John Armor, director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. "They are also places where people from diverse backgrounds can find common ground and discuss possible solutions to critical challenges facing the ocean. We welcome and value the wide range of perspectives and expertise that advisory council members bring to the national marine sanctuary system."