Dec 4th, 2025
The 75th Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting will be held virtually via Google Meet on Monday, January 26th, 2026. The meeting starts at 9:00 am EDT and is scheduled to end at 3:00 pm.
The public is invited to attend, but all participants must register in advance before 8:00 am on the day of the meeting.
To register, go to this link. After you register, you will receive the link for the virtual meeting.
If you have any trouble, email stellwagen@noaa.gov
For more information about the Sanctuary Advisory Council, visit the council's pages on the sanctuary website at https://stellwagen.noaa.gov/management/sac/. An agenda and other related information will be posted there before the meeting. Member of the public attending the virtual meeting will have the opportunity to offer comments at the end of the meeting.
Reminder: SAC Recruitment is Open Through January 20th, 2026
The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following seats:
- Citizen-At-Large (3 Primary, 2 Alternate) - 3-year term
- Conservation (1 Primary, 2 Alternate) - 3-year term
- Diving (1 Primary, 1 Alternate) - 3-year term
- Education (2 Primary) - 3-year term
- Marine Transportation (1 Primary) - 3-year term
- Maritime Heritage (1 Alternate) - 3-year term
- Mobile Gear Commercial Fishing (1 Primary) - 3 year term
- Recreational Fishing (1 Alternate) - 3-year term
- Research (1 Primary, 1 Alternate) - 3-year term
- Whale Watch (1 Alternate) - 3-year term
- Youth (1 Primary, 1 Alternate) (non-voting) - 2-year term
The application period opens November 20th, 2025
Completed applications are due by January 20th, 2026
Applications received or postmarked after January 20th will not be considered.
Applications can be downloaded by clicking the links below. Applicants accepted as Advisory Council members should expect to serve a 3-year term and Youth 2-year term. The advisory council consists of 36 primary and alternate members representing a variety of public interest groups. It also includes 9 seats representing other federal and state government agencies.
Please contact laura.howes@noaa.gov, or tel: 781-205-0354 with any questions about the Stellwagen Bank NMS Advisory Council and recruitment.
For more information about the Office of National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Councils, please visit: sanctuaries.noaa.gov/management/ac/.
Application Materials
Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTION: What is a Sanctuary Advisory Council?
ANSWER: National marine sanctuary advisory councils are community-based, volunteer advisory groups established to provide advice and recommendations to NOAA on issues including management, science, service, and stewardship. This sanctuary advisory council brings members of a community together to provide advice to NOAA, to serve as a liaison with the nominating community, and to assist in guiding the site through the designation process.
QUESTION: How long do sanctuary advisory council members serve?
ANSWER: Applicants chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve two or three-year terms based on the seat (seats are staggered to avoid having to recruit a full slate of new members). Members are limited to three consecutive terms on the council in the same seat, unless the ONMS Director has granted a waiver.
QUESTION: How do I apply for a seat on the sanctuary advisory council?
ANSWER: Interested parties should submit written statements of particular interest, qualifications, and experience related to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Sanctuary advisory council members must be at least 18 years of age, with the exception of youth seat members.
QUESTION: How do I know if I am eligible to apply for a specific seat?
ANSWER: The seat descriptions are included in the document linked above.
QUESTION: How are applicants for the sanctuary advisory council chosen?
ANSWER: Applicants are chosen based upon their particular 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. NOAA seeks to maintain a Sanctuary Advisory Council that is balanced in terms of points of view represented, geography, and advisory functions the council will perform. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries director makes the final selection for seats.
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