03-18144. 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 six vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (Council): Hawaii County, Honolulu County, Kauai County, Maui County, Education and Research. 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 August 1, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Application kits may be obtained on our Web site http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/​ or from Amy Glester at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 6700 Kalanianaole Hwy, Suite 104, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825. Completed applications should be sent to the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Amy Glester at [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The HIHWNMS Advisory Council was established in March 1996 (the current Council has served since July 2001) 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 twenty-four voting members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public, plus ten local, state and federal governmental jurisdictions.

The Council is supported by three subcommittees: 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 government 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 Manager 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 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. 1431 et seq.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary Program)

Dated: July 8, 2003.

Jamison S. Hawkins,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management.