NOAA Seeks Research Proposals for 2009 Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program Funding

enlarge image Entanglement in fishing gear is a well-known risk to endangered large whales along the East Coast, particularly the North Atlantic right whales pictured here. Research that focuses on reducing this risk is one of the priority areas for 2009 funding. (Credit: NOAA) enlarge image S-K funds are currently being used to study stock separation for Atlantic bluefin tuna. (Credit: NOAA)

Related Links Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program 2007 program report

NOAA Fisheries Service is now accepting proposals for funding under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program, which provides federal support for fisheries research and development projects on U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries.  Applications are due October 1, 2008.    

Research priorities for 2009 include mitigating risks posed to North Atlantic right whales by entanglement in fishing gear, aquaculture development, reducing or eliminating problems that limit the use of harvested resources owing to disease, human health hazard or other quality problems, improving what we know about the socioeconomics of fishing, and conservation engineering projects to reduce or eliminate bycatch or harmful interactions between fishing operations and protected species.
 
Funding for potential projects depends upon the availability of fiscal year 2009 appropriations.  Grants will be awarded competitively. 

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 Funding Opportunity Number NMFS-FHQ-2009-2001464 

The objective of the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program is to address the needs of fishing communities in optimizing economic benefits within the context of rebuilding and maintaining sustainable fisheries.

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NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries Service provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.