NOAA Solicits Proposals for 2009 Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program

Captain Henri Franco (F/V Mary K)  with large monkfish - 2001

Related Links Status of the Stocks-monkfish Fishwatch--monkfish seafood facts

NOAA Fisheries Service is now accepting proposals under the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils’ Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program for monkfish related research activities to be conducted during the 2009 monkfish fishing year (May 1, 2009 - April 30, 2010).  Applications must be received by NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center on or before 5 p.m. EDT on September 9, 2008.
           
NOAA, based on the Councils’ recommendations, has set aside 500 monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) to be used to conduct monkfish related research activities and/or to conduct compensation fishing trips for the purpose of generating funds to pay for the cost of the research.  No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. 

Projects funded under the Monkfish RSA Program must enhance the knowledge of the monkfish fishery resource or contribute to the body of information on which management decisions are made.  The Councils and NOAA Fisheries Service will give priority to funding research proposals in the following general subject areas:  (1) Cooperative research to supplement NOAA Fisheries Service surveys; (2) life history studies on age and growth, longevity, reproduction, and natural mortality; (3) tagging and telemetry studies to investigate short- and long-term movements and habitat use; (4) research concerning bycatch and discard mortality of target and/or non-target species; (5) trawl and gillnet gear studies concerning size and/or species selectivity and bycatch reduction (including reducing bycatch of and interactions with protected species); and (6) research concerning trophic interactions of monkfish with other species.  Note that the research subject areas listed above are not listed in order of priority. 

For complete details on how to apply, please visit the Grants Online website at http://www.grants.gov.

• Under "Quick Links" for applicants (right side of page) click on "Grant Search".
• Search for the ‘Funding Opportunity Number’ NMFS-NEFSC-2009-2001478.

The Federal Register notice announcing the 2009 Monkfish RSA Program and the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement are also posted here on the Northeast Regional Office’s website..

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