NOAA ANNOUNCES GRANTS TOTALING $4.1 MILLION TO ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Funds Will Aid State Efforts on Fisheries Management and Estuary Research

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded three grants totaling $4.1 million to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for projects impacting Alaska’s fisheries and coastal research.

Working closely with NOAA, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will receive $2.77 million for continued research and management activities required under the Pacific Salmon Treaty, a second grant of $1.45 million for the Alaska Groundfish Monitoring project, and a third grant of $590,000 to operate and manage the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

"NOAA and the Bush Administration are working to improve the understanding of our environment to strengthen regional initiatives, such as the programs proposed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "These grants will help this vital research reserve and advance fisheries knowledge critical in Alaska."

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 33 years.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (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.

On the Web:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.noaa.gov.

Conrad C. Lautenbacher: http://www.noaa.gov/lautenbacher.html

Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: http://nerrs.noaa.gov/KachemakBay/welcome.html