Each year we select one person to be recognized as our sanctuary Volunteer of the Year. This is our way of acknowledging the efforts of individuals who donate time and energy to help us meet our goals.
2025 Volunteer of the Year
Shane Cantrell
Galveston, TX
For over a decade, Captain Shane Cantrell has served on NOAA's Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council in both the recreation and commercial fishing seats. As a captain, Shane offers fishing and research opportunities at Flower Garden Banks, and his skills have been utilized to catch and tag numerous fish species in the sanctuary, including wahoo, grouper, amberjack, and sharks, allowing researchers to track the movement of fish. Not only does he advocate for the responsible management of fisheries within the sanctuary, but he also communicates with other anglers and community members about what makes this site special. Shane is a contributing member of the site's interpretive plan and the creation of the Friends of Flower Garden Banks, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the sanctuary. Going above and beyond in the duties of an advisory council member is why Shane was selected as volunteer of the year.
Previous Volunteers of the Year
2024 Rachel Bowman
2023 Adrienne Correa
2022 N/A
2021 N/A
2020 Fernando Calderón Gutiérrez
2019 Jake Emmert
2018 Nicole Morgan
2017 Andrea Stromeyer
2016 Scott Hickman
2015 Jesse Cancelmo
2014 Matt Stout
2013 Tom Oglin
2012 Clint Moore
2011 Kevin Buch
2010 Jacqueline Stanley
2009 George Hanks
2008 Tim Gibson
2007 Pete Bryant
2006 Haidee Williams
2005 Joyce & Frank Burek