04-13870. 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 (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION:

Notice and request for applications.

SUMMARY:

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS) is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (Council): Business/Commerce, Citizen at Large, Commercial Shipping, Conservation, Education, 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 protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in Hawaii. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve two-year terms, pursuant to the Council's Charter.

DATE:

Applications are due by July 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Application packets may be obtained from Keeley Belva (888) 55-WHALE or via e-mail at: [e-mail]. Applications are also available on line at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 6700 Kalaniana ‘ole Highway, Suite 104, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825, faxed to [phone], or returned via e-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Keeley Belva (see above for contact information).

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 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 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 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 concerns 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: June 9, 2004.

Richard W. Spinrad,

Assistant Administrator, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.