Projects provide economic, sociological, public policy, and other information needed by Federal and State natural resource administrators for conserving and managing fishery resources and protected species and their environment in Federal, State, and U.S.

territorial waters.

Information

credit: Flickr

derived from project studies may consist of econometric data, user profiles, sociological case studies, policy and systems analyses, and other knowledge, and is used in such decisions as resource allocations, total and zonal harvest determinations, and initial apportionment of harvesting rights under controlled access management regimes.

Primary users of project information include the National Marine Fisheries Service, Regional Fishery Management Councils, Interstate Marine Fisheries Commissions, State, and other Federal resource management agencies.

Alaska Region: Development of programs seeking to stabilize and restore fisheries access to the Gulf of Alaska community-based small boat fleets and assist in the creation of new fisheries opportunities. Provide research assistance to aid in run forecasting and restoration of Yukon River salmon. These activities are carried out by 5 grants to Alaska recipients. Northeast Region: Work in 2005 focused on: A 6-day research video cruise to the northern portion of Nantucket Lightship Closed area (NLCA). The survey concentrated on both high and low density of scallops. A multistage centric systematic survey on two spatial scales was compared to a simple random survey with 300 stations. This work allows for statistical comparisons between the two survey designs including comparisons of densities and size frequencies of sea scallops, other macroinvertebrate and sediment compositions; Conduct research on a turtle excluder dredge in two phases. In phase 1, design and fabricate a prototype scallop dredge frame, field test the frame on commercial trips, and modify the design as appropriate. The dredge will consist of two components; (1) a chain mat that had previously designed and tested that prevents turtles from entering the bag dredge and (2) a new concept for construction of the dredge frame to keep turtles from snagging on top of the dredge. The second phase will commence when an acceptable design has been achieved and will consist of extensive scientific field testing of the dredge. Southeast Region: Development of programs to better document fishing effort in the shark fishery, south Atlantic snapper-grouper fisheries, and the U.S. Virgin Islands commercial fisheries. Development of a Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl bycatch device testing project. Continuation of king mackerel stock research. Cooperative research to study the life histories of various reef fish in the Southeast.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds can be used by recipients to support a wide variety of management activities for high-priority marine and estuarine resources, especially for species and/or their habitat currently under or proposed for future Federal or interjurisdictional management.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants for assistance include: State and local governments, including their universities and colleges; U.S.

territorial agencies; federally and state recognized Indian Tribal governments; private universities and colleges; private profit and nonprofit research and conservation organizations and individuals.

Beneficiary Eligibility

This program benefits Federal, State and interstate marine resource conservation and management agencies; U.S. and foreign commercial and recreational fishing industries; conservation organizations; academic institutions; international and Indian Tribal treaties; private and public research groups; consumers; and the general public.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants are required to satisfy all DOC/NOAA standards and regulations, including routine and special terms and conditions for financial assistance programs application and conduct.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms as furnished by the agency.

This program is covered under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

See http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

Application Procedures

Proposals are submitted through Grants.Gov. Applicants will need to enter the Funding Opportunity Number and/or CFDA number to access the application package and instructions. Application package will then be submitted directly to the (Name of your Office - Example Coastal Services Center). Proposals are subject to the requirements of 15 CFR Parts 14 and 24, as applicable.

Award Procedures

Proposals are initially evaluated by the pertinent NMFS Office/Region/Science Center, and are subject to review for technical merit, soundness of design, competency of the applicant to perform the proposed work, potential contribution of the project to national or regional goals, and appropriateness and reasonableness of proposed costs. Projects approved for funding will be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division for review and approval.

Deadlines

Project applications must be received by the receiving NMFS office at least 90 days before the requested start date of the project.

Authorization

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C. 661; Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1854(e); National Fisheries Research and Development Program, 15 U.S.C. 713c 3(d), Department of Commerce Appropriation Act of 1999.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approval time is expected to range from 90 to 120 days, which includes processing of the award through the NMFS and NOAA financial assistance procedures.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Approval time is expected to range from 90 to 120 days, which includes processing of the award through the NMFS and NOAA financial assistance procedures.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Projects are funded at up to 100 percent of the Federal share. Grantee matching contributions are not required, but are encouraged.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards are normally for a 12-month or 18-month period, but in some instances, award periods may extend beyond these periods, or may be completed in less time. Award funds must be spent in the indicated budget period and are expended in accordance with DOC/NOAA finance and reporting procedures. Funds are requested through the Financial Management System as part of the Department of Treasury's Automated Standard Application for Payment System (ASAP). See http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap/pr_gettingstarted.html.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements are outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the Financial Assistance Award.

Progress reports summarize work accomplished and explain situations where expected work has not been completed.

Financial reports indicate use of funds on a semi-annual schedule.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document.

Records

Generally, a recipient is required to retain records relating to a particular grant for three years from the date of submission of the final financial report. In cases where litigation, claim or an audit is initiated prior to expiration of the three-year period, records must be retained until the action and resolution of any issues associated with it are complete or until the end of the three-year retention period; whichever is latest.

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-1450-0-1-306.

Obigations

(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $12,000,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$146,500 to $1,225,000. Average: $539,250.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

For cost principles, see OMB Circular Nos. A-21 (educational institutions), A-87 (State and local governments) or A-122 (nonprofit organizations). For grants management principles, see 15 CFR 24 (States and local governments) and 15 CFR 14 for other recipients.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Alaska: Shawn Carey, Alaska Regional Office, NMFS, P.O. Box 12668, Juneau, AK 99802- 1668. Telephone: (907) 586-7845. Use the same numbers for FTS. E-mail: shawn.carey@noaa.gov. Northeast: Harold C. Mears, Director, State, Federal and Constituent Programs Office, National Marine Fisheries Service; Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. Telephone: (978) 281-9243. Fax: (978) 281-9117. E-mail: Grants.Information@noaa.gov. Northwest: Kevin Ford, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Regional Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. Telephone: (206)526-6150. Fax: (206) 526-6426. E-mail: Joe.Scordino@noaa.gov. Southeast: Federal Program Officer, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Telephone: (727)551-5760. Fax: (727) 824-5364. E-mail: Robert.sadler@noaa.gov. Southwest: Patricia Culver, Federal Program Officer, Southwest Region Office, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213. Telephone: (562) 980-4239. Fax: (562) 980-4047. E-mail: trisha.culver@noaa..gov. Pacific Island: Scott Bloom. Telephone (808) 944-2218. E-mail: scott.bloom@noaa.gov.

Headquarters Office

JoAnna Grable, Management and Administration Division,, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-1364. Fax: (301) 713-2258. Email: joanna.grable@noaa.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals are selected from several sources: Unsolicited proposals; special solicitations in the Federal Register, FedBizOppss,or Congressionally mandated projects. Regardless of source, proposals must undergo rigorous technical review and comply with all OMB, DOC, and NOAA grants policies and procedures.