The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary advisory council will be holding a council meeting in Honolulu to discuss their management plan review, the 2012 whale season, cultural and historical resource evaluation, enforcement activities, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fishery actions and Japan tsunami marine debris. They will also focus on the Aloha ‘Aina workshop report. There will be an opportunity for public comment on any of these agenda items. Anyone interested in speaking in front of the council should submit written testimony of what they plan to comment on before Sept. 18, 2012 and will be responsible for providing enough copies for the sanctuary staff and council members (40 copies minimum) on the day of the meeting (see below for submission details).
The sanctuary is dedicated to protecting the humpback whales and their habitat here in Hawaii. It’s a combined effort between NOAA and the State of Hawaii. They sponsor many community events to educate people about the sanctuary and the whales that they protect, and a full listing of events can be found on their calendar here.
-Oliver de Silva (@odesilva)
Photo Courtesy of Australia Whale Foundation
Testimony submission details:
Written comments may be mailed to 6600 Kalaniana’ole Highway, Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96825; faxed to 808-397-2650, or emailed to: joseph.paulin@noaa.gov. For more information, call the Oahu sanctuary office at 808-397-2651 ext. 257.
MEETING AGENDA
9:00 am – Open SAC Meeting
9:30 am – Enforcement Report
10:00 am – 2012 Whales Season Report
10:30 am – 11:30 am – Aloha Aina Workshop Presentation and Discussion 11:30 pm – Public Comment
12:00 pm – Discussion of Aloha Aina Report Continued (Action Item) 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – LUNCH (On Your Own)
1:30 pm – Council Member Recognition
2:00 pm – MPR Update
2:30 pm – Cultural and Historic Resources Evaluation (Section 106)
3:00 pm – NOAA Fisheries Actions Update
3:30 pm – Japan Tsunami Marine Debris Update
4:00 pm – New Business and Discussion (Action Items)
4:30 pm – Public Comment
5:00 pm – Discussion Continued (Action Items)
5:30 pm – PAU
Tags: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA, State of Hawaii, whales
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