Council Recruitment

Two brightly-colored fish swim near sponges and algae on an ocean reef.
Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants to serve on its volunteer advisory council. The council provides NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries with advice and recommendations on the management of the sanctuary. Eligible applicants may apply for any of the following council seats:

  • Citizen-At-Large three-year term
  • Education (University) three-year term

Applications are due by 11:59 PM on April 26, 2026. Applications received or postmarked after 11:59 PM on April 26, 2026 will not be considered. Applications should include 1) a completed and signed application form, and 2) your responses to the 9 essay questions on the application form.

The SAC application form is available below:

Applications can be emailed to Scott Kathey at scott.kathey@noaa.gov, or physically mailed to Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411. Note: If you desire a secure method of transmitting electronic documents, contact Scott Kathey at the email link above or by phone at 912-598-2381.

Application Packet Cover Letter and Support Materials

Applicants should review the cover letter and support materials to fully understand qualification requirements for each respective council seat and the role and responsibilities of advisory council members before submitting an application.

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council provides NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries with advice and recommendations on the management of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The Advisory Council is composed of 21 members representing a variety of interests, including, fishing, diving, conservation, science, education, tourism, the general public, and state and federal government.

Recruitment for Sanctuary Advisory Council seats generally occurs in late spring and late fall.

Term lengths for council members are three years, and incumbent members can serve up to three consecutive terms if they re-compete for each additional term and are re-selected. The advisory council generally meets four times each year, and council working group and subcommittee meetings occur as necessary to study specific topics. Meetings may take place in person and/or virtually.

Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of Gray's Reef's resources; and the applicant's ties to the stakeholder group they wish to represent. Applicants appointed as council members are expected to serve a three-year term, attend advisory council meetings, and serve as liaisons both for, and to, the respective stakeholder groups they represent.

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries values the remarkable variety of knowledge, perspectives, and experience found throughout sanctuary communities, and invites a wide range of individuals to seek membership on our sanctuary advisory councils. Due to their multifaceted membership, advisory councils help promote enhanced public understanding and participation in marine conservation and governance, foster innovation and creative problem solving, and advance the mission of the National Marine Sanctuary System to facilitate public use, enjoyment, and stewardship of special marine areas.

Prior visitation to Gray's Reef is not a requirement for serving on the advisory council.

For more information about the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, including recruitment, contact Scott Kathey, Resource Protection Coordinator, at scott.kathey@noaa.gov or 912-598-2381.