Sanctuary Advisory Council recruitment

National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa seeks 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 typically holds two to four meetings per year at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center. For additional information call 684-633-6500.

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 as members should expect to serve a three-year term. Service on the council is on a volunteer basis.

The Sanctuary Advisory Council was established to ensure continuous public participation in the management of the sanctuary. The council's 17 voting members and eight non-voting members serve on a volunteer basis and represent a variety of local user groups, the public, and territorial and federal governmental jurisdictions.

For additional information on Office of National Marine Sanctuaries advisory councils and links to council charters and the National Advisory Council Handbook please visit: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/management/ac/

Application deadline is December 20, 2024

Application Form

CURRENT VACANCIES:

Business/ Economic Development
Maritime Environment & Technology in Remote Areas
Community/ Outreach

Sanctuary Advisory Council non-governmental representative description for seat being recruited

Business/Industry & Economic Development: Renaming the original seat from Business/Industry, which has been vacant and difficult to fill, to encompass interested persons who have desirable programs and a vision to cultivate opportunities in American Samoa that align with sanctuary goals is proposed to communicate with key representatives from the business community.
Maritime Environment & Technology in Remote Areas: NMSAS has marine areas that are remote sites where maritime technology partnerships and advice are highly required. Sites within the boundaries of our sanctuary areas that prove difficult to monitor conditions are Swains Island (52 square miles of sanctuary waters, but it is 200 nautical miles north of Tutuila), Muliava which is 13,507 square miles of sanctuary waters, but it is 150 nautical miles east-southeast of Tutuila); and Ta’u (14.6 square miles of sanctuary area but it is 93 nautical miles from Tutuila). Expertise and advisory capacity for NMSAS in maritime environment and technology furthers the site’s ability to leverage resources and partnerships.
Community/Outreach: Unlike other sites, representation from clergy or community is an integral and important pillar of American Samoa’s culture. It is an initiator of all that begins and ends, with more than 80% of the population belonging to a religion. Programs with churches have been an important audience for summer and seasonal activities, for example Ocean Tales in churches in 2023.

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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.”