E8-22888. Availability of Seats for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

AGENCY:

Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), 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 both primary and alternate members of the following seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (council): Business/Commerce, Citizen-At-Large, Commercial Shipping, Conservation, Ocean Recreation, Tourism, and Whale Watching. The HIHWNMS is also seeking applicants for alternate members of the Native Hawaiian seat and the Fishing seat. 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 protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the Sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 2-year terms, pursuant to the Council's Charter with the exception of the Native Hawaiian and Fishing seat alternates who will serve 1-yr terms.

DATES:

Applications are due by November 15, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Application kits may be obtained from Christine Brammer, 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96825 or [e-mail]. Completed applications should be sent to the same address. Applications are also available online at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Naomi McIntosh, 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96825 or [e-mail] or 808.397.2651.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The HIHWNMS Advisory Council was established in March 1996 to assure continued public participation in the management of the sanctuary. Since its establishment, the council has played a vital role in the decisions affecting the Sanctuary surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands.

The council's 17 voting members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public.

The council is supported by three committees: A Research Committee chaired by the Research Representative, an Education Committee chaired by the Education Representative, and a Conservation Committee chaired by the Conservation Representative, each respectively dealing with matters concerning research, education and resource protection.

The council represents the coordination link between the sanctuary and the state and federal management agencies, user groups, researchers, educators, policy makers, and other various groups that help to focus efforts and attention on the humpback whale and its habitat around the main Hawaiian Islands.

The council functions in an advisory capacity to the sanctuary management and is instrumental in helping to develop policies and program goals, and to identify education, outreach, research, long-term monitoring, resource protection and revenue enhancement priorities. The council works in concert with the sanctuary management by keeping him or her informed about issues of concern throughout the sanctuary, offering recommendations on specific issues, and aiding in achieving the goals of the sanctuary within the context of Hawai'i's marine programs and policies.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. Sections 1431, et seq.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429, Marine Sanctuary Program)

Dated: September 22, 2008.

Daniel J. Basta,

Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.