Sanctuary Advisory Council seats new members, elects chair and vice chair

At its meeting on June 16, 2020, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council elected as chair George Garrett, Middle Keys citizen-at-large member, and as vice chair Ben Daughtry, commercial fishing – marine life/tropicals member. Garrett is the Marathon city planning director. Daughtry is president and CEO of Dynasty Marine Associates and operates Aquarium Encounters in Marathon.

New and reassigned members include Dr. Erinn Muller, Mote Marine Laboratory, research and monitoring; Ken Reda, MarineMax, boating industry from recreational fishing member; Suzy Roebling, Upper Keys citizen-at-large from alternate; and Karen Thurman, Marathon Hyatt Place, Lower Keys tourism from boating industry alternate.

New alternate members are Dr. Patrick Rice, College of the Florida Keys, research and monitoring; Billy Litmer, Honest Eco Tours, boating industry; and Dave Makepeace, Upper Keys citizen-at-large from member.

Elena Rodriguez, former dive shop owner, retained her seat as the Upper Keys diving member. Representing charter sport fishing, Steve Leopold, Leofish LLC, remains an interim member along with Richie Gomez, Captain Conch Charters, as an interim alternate.

Member and alternate seats for charter sport fishing and recreational fishing will be included in the next recruitment period in late 2020.

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