The Commerce Department's National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking research and development proposals under the Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today. The fisheries service is seeking proposals in several priority areas to help the fishing industry, and fishing communities.

The S-K Grant Program expects to have approximately $3.8 million available for grant awards in FY 2001.

"S-K grants benefit everyone in the fishing community by bringing together
fishermen, scientists, and industry experts to improve our understanding of and better address fishing issues," said William T. Hogarth, acting director of the fisheries service. "These grants also benefit fisheries resources through conservation engineering to reduce unwanted catch or provide alternatives to current harvest practices."

The proposals are competitively selected based on a review for technical merit followed by a review by constituents to determine which proposals have the most potential. Proposals must address one of the following funding priorities:
optimum utilization of harvested resources under federal jurisdiction;

• marine aquaculture;
• planning for fishing community transition; and
• conservation engineering.

The deadline for submitting a grant application is Monday, May 7, 2001.

S-K grants are awarded for up to 18 months. For FY 2001 proposals must include a minimum cost share of 10 percent, which may be in the form of cash or in- kind contributions.

A copy of the solicitation notice and application materials are available on the S-K home page at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfweb/skhome.html or from one of the NOAA fisheries regional offices.