NOAA AWARDS MORE THAN $1.4 MILLION
TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT OF FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC
Grant Administered by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced a $1,435,978 grant to continue the creation and implementation of fishery management plans by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The funding will support the council’s activities as outlined in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which places responsibility for the conservation and management of fishery resources in specific regions to appointed regional councils. The council’s jurisdiction spans the offshore waters of North and South Carolina, Georgia and Eastern Florida. The goals and objectives of the council are to end overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks and address fish habitat and bycatch issues. The funding from this year’s grant will support the continued development and review of fishery management plans for snapper grouper, mackerel, shrimp, spiny lobster and calico scallop.

“This grant allows the South Atlantic Council to continue to develop strategies and fishery management plans that provide sound and responsible management of our important fishery resources,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “NOAA and the Bush Administration are working to improve the understanding of our environment and to strengthen regional initiatives. NOAA works with the Council, local governments as well as the academic and scientific communities on initiatives such as fishery management plan development in an effort to promote cooperative conservation.”

Each year, NOAA awards approximately $900 million in grants to members of the academic, scientific and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems in order to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property, and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 35 years.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.