NOAA Announces $897,000 Grant to Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation

NOAA ANNOUNCES $897,000 GRANT TO ALASKA FISHERIES
DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
Grant Will Fund Six Projects to Impact Alaska Seafood Industry

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a $896,932 grant to the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Inc., for a variety of projects intended to add economic value to the Alaskan seafood industry while preserving and adding to fisheries sustainability.

Working closely with NOAA, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation has proposed six projects that will address the preservation and continued building of seafood stock.

"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 Fisheries Development Foundation," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "This grant will advance critical knowledge on Alaskan fisheries."

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 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.