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.

The Gray’s Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council is composed of 21 members who represent a variety of community interests, including fishing, diving, conservation, science, education, tourism, state agencies, federal agencies, and the public-at-large. The sanctuary is currently accepting applications for the following 11 seats (each for a three-year term):

● Citizen-At-Large, three-year term - 2 seats

● Conservation, three-year term - 2 seats

● Education (K-12), three-year term

● Fishing Industry, three-year term

● Research, three-year term - 2 seats

● Sport Diving, three-year term

● Sport Fishing, three-year term

● Tourism, three-year term

Applicants do not necessarily need prior personal experience within the sanctuary, but they should have familiarity and affiliation with key representatives of their constituent community and be very familiar with their constituents' regional interests and how they relate to, or benefit, the management of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Anyone with the desire and ability to effectively represent their respective community’s interests in the management of the sanctuary is encouraged to apply, regardless of the applicant's geographic location within the region.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2025. Applications received or postmarked after 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2025, will not be considered. For more information, including a copy of the application, please visit the Gray’s Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council recruitment webpage at https://graysreef.noaa.gov/management/advisory-council/recruitment.html or contact Scott Kathey, Advisory Council Coordinator at [email protected] or 912-598-2381.

The Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council actively recruits for new members when positions are available.