Key Message:
NOAA Fisheries is requesting proposals on innovative strategies to reduce red snapper discards in the South Atlantic. The agency intends to fund projects that explore new approaches to better understand and reduce red snapper dead discards and increase fishing opportunities in the snapper-grouper fishery. There are up to $880,000 in federal funds available for projects in fiscal year 2024.
The red snapper stock in South Atlantic federal waters continues to rebuild, yet overfishing is occurring primarily because of dead discards in the recreational sector. As discards of red snapper have increased, the lengths of the open commercial and recreational red snapper seasons have decreased over time. Recreational and commercial fishermen are frustrated by short fishing seasons and high amounts of discards. Projects funded under this program are intended to inform future management strategies that reduce the proportion of red snapper discards relative to landed catch.
The details on this funding opportunity may be found here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=350125
Application Process:
Who can apply?
- Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, individuals, and state, local, and Indian Tribal governments.
- Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible.
- Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the objective of the funding opportunity is to optimize benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources.
How to apply?
- The application package is available at http://www.grants.gov/. If you do not have internet access or if Grants.gov is inaccessible, an application package may be received by contacting Kelly Donnelly, Federal Program Officer, NOAA/NMFS/SERO; 263 13th Avenue, South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, Phone: (727) 551-5731, e-mail: kelly.donnelly@noaa.gov.
- Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (sam.gov)
When to apply?
- NOAA Fisheries is accepting proposals from September 7, 2023, through November 6, 2023.
- Complete proposals/applications must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. E.T. on November 6, 2023, to be considered for funding. Proposals received after the established deadline will not be accepted and returned to the sender without consideration.
- For proposals submitted through http://www.grants.gov/, a date and time receipt indication will be the basis of determining timeliness. It may take http://www.grants.gov/ up to two business days to validate or reject the application.
Where can I find more information on the Notice of Funding Opportunity?
Kelly Donnelly, Federal Program Officer
(727) 551-5731
kelly.donnelly@noaa.gov
Rick DeVictor, South Atlantic Branch Chief
(727) 824-5305
rick.devictor@noaa.gov
NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505
FAX: (727) 824-5308
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Why is NOAA Fisheries requesting proposals?
- NOAA Fisheries is requesting proposals under this Notice of Funding Opportunity to better understand and address red snapper discards in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery.
- The red snapper stock in the South Atlantic continues to rebuild, yet overfishing is occurring primarily because of the amount of red snapper that are being discarded dead in the recreational sector.
- As the number of dead discards have increased, the lengths of the open commercial and recreational red snapper seasons have decreased over time.
- NOAA Fisheries intends to fund research projects that explore new approaches to better understand and reduce red snapper dead discards and increase fishing opportunities in the snapper-grouper fishery.
- Projects funded under this program should inform the development of management strategies that reduce the proportion of red snapper discards relative to landed catch.
- Priority will be given to proposals that investigate the research priorities detailed under the Funding Priorities section of the announcement.
How much funding is available?
- There are up to $880,000 in federal funds that may be available for projects in fiscal year 2024.
- The maximum award for a single project will not exceed $250,000.
How many projects may be funded?
- NOAA Fisheries anticipates 3-5 projects will be selected for funding.
- NOAA Fisheries anticipates approximately 70-80% of these funds will be allocated to studies of recreational red snapper discard reduction strategies since the recreational sector accounts for a majority of the discards.
- The remaining funds will be allocated to studies of commercial red snapper discard reduction strategies.
Who can apply?
- Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, individuals, and state, local, and Indian Tribal governments.
- Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible.
- Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the objective of the funding opportunity is to optimize benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources.
When can someone apply?
- NOAA Fisheries is accepting proposals from September 7, 2023, through November 6, 2023.
- Complete proposals/applications must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. E.T. on November 6, 2023, to be considered for funding. Proposals received after the established deadline will not be accepted and returned to the sender without consideration.
- For proposals submitted through http://www.grants.gov/, a date and time receipt indication will be the basis of determining timeliness.
- It may take http://www.grants.gov/ up to two business days to validate or reject the application.
When can the projects begin and for how long?
- The earliest start date for projects will be April 1, 2024.
- The award period is one-year (12-month) period of performance, but NOAA Fisheries will accept applications for projects with up to a 24-month period of performance, pending available funding.
- Proposals should clearly identify objectives and products to be completed during that period of activity.
- The requested start date must begin on the first day of the month and end on the last day of the month.
How should someone apply?
- The application package is available at http://www.grants.gov/, and should be submitted electronically.
- If you do not have internet access or if Grants.gov is inaccessible, an application package may be received by contacting Kelly Donnelly, Federal Program Officer, NOAA/NMFS/SERO; 263 13th Avenue, South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, Phone: (727) 551-5731, e-mail:kelly.donnelly@noaa.gov. Please see the funding announcement “Other Submission Requirements” section for more details on how to submit paper applications.
- Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (sam.gov)
How will NOAA Fisheries decide what projects to fund?
- NOAA Fisheries will utilize a Selecting Official, a Review Panel of at least three subject matter experts, and panel members to determine which projects to fund.
- Priority will be given to proposals that address certain research priorities.
- See this webpage for a complete description of the Application Review Information and research priorities:
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=350125
What are the other criteria that affect eligibility?
- All proposals for projects that require exemptions from the current regulations (e.g. retention outside of allowable fishing seasons) must submit a signed copy of the Project Narrative in Section IV.B. of the announcement under separate cover to Frank Helies, Fishery Biologist, NOAA/NMFS/SERO; 263 13th Avenue, South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, Phone: (727) 824-5305, e-mail: Frank.Helies@noaa.gov.
- This document will serve as the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application, so applicants must take care to include in the Project Narrative all of the information required for a complete EFP application as listed in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 C.F.R. § 600.745(b).
- Additional information on EFPs and how to apply can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/southeast-region-exempted-fishing-permits-efp/.
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