The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting college students and community members from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties to apply for positions on an advisory council that will guide and protect the newly-designated Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. The application deadline is March 7.
This call for applicants follows the sanctuary’s official designation on Nov. 30, 2024, where 4,543 square miles of Central California’s coastal and ocean waters became America’s 17th national marine sanctuary, according to a NOAA news release.
Benjamin Ruttenberg, a Cal Poly biological sciences professor and director of the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, said serving on the council will provide students with valuable real-world experience.
“[Council membership is] an outstanding learn-by-doing opportunity,” Ruttenberg said.
The sanctuary stretches south of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County to the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. It is the second national sanctuary specifically designated for biodiversity conservation, and the first to be nominated and co-stewarded by an Indigenous group in the contiguous United States.
According to the advisory council webpage, the council will include representatives from a range of backgrounds, including conservation, commercial fishing, offshore energy and telecommunications.
“We understand the responsibilities and look forward to working with all stakeholders to protect our beautiful ocean and the diverse area that encompasses the marine sanctuary,” said Kenneth Kahn, chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
There are 15 voting seats total, with 12 represented by community members and the final three reserved for members of local government and representatives of the Chumash tribe. All council member seats are unpaid.
The student leadership seat is open to those over 18 enrolled in a local post-secondary institution, and serves a 2-year term. The student leadership seat is a non-voting one, though Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator Sachiko Lamen said the position holds value regardless of voting status.
“If you are a member of the advisory council, you have a voice,” Lamen said. “If you are a member of the advisory council, you will have your opinions heard and they will influence the consensus.”
Correction: On Feb. 6, this article was updated to clarify that all council member seats are unpaid.