Friday, July 16, 2010

FLORIDA KEYS

Advisory council applicants sought

Twenty primary and alternate seats are open on the Sanctuary Advisory Council, which reports to NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

"Advisory Council members play a vital role in the sanctuary, acting as conduits to community stakeholders and helping inform management decisions," said Sean Morton, acting sanctuary superintendent. Seats require representatives of various aspects of the marine industry -- including charter sports fishing, commercial fishing, tourism -- from the Upper, Middle and Lower keys.

For applications, which are due by Aug. 6, go to http://floridakeys.noaa.gov, call 305-292-0311, ext. 245 or e-mail Lilli.Ferguson@noaa.gov.

KEY WEST

Cutter gets new commander

The Coast Guard cutter Thetis will get a new commander at 7 tonight in a ceremony at the Key West sector headquarters.

Cmdr. Douglas M. Schofield will relieve Cmdr. Richard L. Mourey, who is headed to U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

A native of Lancaster, Pa., Schofield graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1991, and has master's degrees in naval architecture and marine engineering, and in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

Thetis is a multimission cutter responsible for conducting search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security missions throughout the Caribbean Sea.

MONROE COUNTY

Warning issued for beach

The Monroe County Health Department's water-quality tests this week showed high levels of fecal bacteria at Higgs Beach in Key West.

Fecal coliform and enteric bacteria are normally found in the intestinal tract of humans and other warm-blooded animals. The Health Department says high levels may come from runoff or sewage from pets, wild animals or humans. It can cause disease, infections or rashes. Don't swim in the water when a warning is issued. For more information, visit http://www.doh.state.fl.us, click on A-Z Topics, then choose Beach Water Quality, or call 305-293-1653.