The conservation alternate seat became vacant when the Sanctuary appointed Ron Massengill, the existing conservation alternate, to a primary at-large seat. I believe it is important to have an active fisher representing fishing. We need someone who is well networked and knowledgeable with both the recreational and commercial fishing communities. This will be particularly important as we begin the process to revise our management plan. The 23-member Monterey Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council consists of representatives from local user groups, education and research institutions, conservation organizations, and Federal and State resource management agencies.
Council members are volunteers and serve three-year terms.
The Council meets the first Friday of every other month at various coastal communities between Cambria and San Francisco. All meetings are open to the public. Council members provide advice and recommendations to the Sanctuary Superintendent on issues of marine resource protection, education and research. Applications postmarked or faxed after February 19 will not be considered . The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of 13 national marine sanctuaries administered by the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.