Council Recruitment

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is not currently recruiting for the sanctuary’s advisory council. For more information on the next recruitment window, please contact the advisory council coordinator.

The advisory council has 20 seats representing a variety of public perspectives, including research, education, fishing, diving, conservation, community interests, and state and federal government activities.

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 reapply for each additional term and are re-selected. The advisory council generally meets two to four times each year, with working group and subcommittee meetings occurring throughout the year as necessary. Meetings may occur in person 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 chosen as members are expected to serve a three-year term, attend advisory council meetings, and serve as liaisons both for and to the stakeholder group they represent.

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. Prior visitation to Gray's Reef is not a requirement for serving on the advisory council. We encourage anyone interested in supporting the mission of the advisory council to apply.

For more information about the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, including recruitment, contact our advisory council coordinator.