Sanctuary Advisory Council Applicants

people sitting around a table having a meeting
Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting. Photo: Jennifer Stock/CBNMS

Members representing nongovernmental seats on the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council are appointed by the director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. When an application period is open, announcements listing the seats and how to apply are made on this website, in local media sources, at public Sanctuary Advisory Council meetings, etc.

Current Vacancies (5):

Community-at-Large Sonoma Seat- 2 vacancies

Community-At-Large Sonoma Seat Description/Qualifications

  • Reside in the area affected by the sanctuary;
  • Proven ability to communicate with members in communities near the sanctuary;
  • Experience and/or knowledge regarding marine or Great Lakes management and resource protection issues in the sanctuary;
  • Experience and/or knowledge regarding public uses and activities in the sanctuary;
  • Freedom to express views and cast votes without consideration of any expectations held by an employer or other organization with which the member is affiliated; and
  • Availability of time to chair and/or participate on appropriate council working groups or subcommittees

Conservation- 1 vacancy

Conservation Seat Description/Qualifications

  • Affiliation with conservation or environmental organizations active in communities near the sanctuary;
  • Ability to effectively communicate with multiple organizations and the broader community of conservationists/environmentalists in the sanctuary region;
  • Familiarity with marine or Great Lakes conservation issues and management approaches affecting the sanctuary;
  • Direct experience working with or representing conservation or environmental organizations, especially those involved with marine or Great Lakes conservation;
  • Experience, ability and availability to conduct conservation outreach consistent with the goals of the sanctuary and the mission of the council;
  • Commitment and availability of time to chair and/or participate on the council’s conservation working group or subcommittee.

Fishing- 1 vacancy

Fishing Seat Description/Qualifications

  • Familiarity and affiliation with fishing organizations active in communities near the sanctuary;
  • Knowledge of commercial fishing activities within the sanctuary region;
  • Breadth of experience and knowledge regarding fisheries law, policies, and practices affecting the sanctuary;
  • Ability and willingness to communicate with key representatives from the fishing (commercial, recreational, or both) industries;
  • Availability of time to chair and/or participate on appropriate council working groups or subcommittees.

Maritime Activities- 1 vacancy

Maritime Activities Seat Description/Qualifications

  • Familiarity and affiliation with maritime activities/industry in communities near the sanctuary;
  • Understanding of the links between maritime activities/industry, sanctuary resources, and human activities;
  • Breadth of experience and knowledge regarding law, policies, and practices related to maritime activities affecting the sanctuary;
  • Ability and willingness to communicate with key representatives from maritime industry (commercial, recreational, or both);
  • Availability of time to chair and/or participate on appropriate council working groups or subcommittees.

How to Apply

Deadline to apply is Friday, June 5, 2026 at 11:59PM PST.

Please submit your completed application form, and any attached statements or documents, to tishma.patel@noaa.gov by the given deadline.