The Department of Commerce is seeking applications for the Innovative Strategies to Reduce Red Snapper Discards in the South Atlantic.
Donor Name: Department of Commerce
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/06/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
The most recent South Atlantic red snapper stock assessment indicates the stock is rebuilding, yet overfishing is occurring primarily because of high discard mortality in the recreational sector. Further restricting or closing the recreational fishing season is no longer sufficient to end overfishing of red snapper because many fish are discarded and die even when directed harvest is prohibited. Recreational anglers and commercial fishers are frustrated by short fishing seasons and high amounts of discards. Additional and substantial reductions in dead discards are needed to successfully rebuild the stock, end overfishing, and achieve optimum yield.
Program Priorities
Projects funded under this program must inform the development of management strategies that reduce the proportion of red snapper discards relative to landed catch. Priority will be given to proposals addressing the following research priorities:
- Collect representative information on recreational and commercial discards of red snapper, including spatial, depth, and temporal distribution patterns and discard mortality rates.
- Identify methods to collect representative catch composition data from red snapper-targeting fishing trips.
- Identify methods to improve angler satisfaction when fishing under the recreational red snapper catch limit.
- Identify methods to improve economic efficiency of commercial snapper-grouper fishers.
- Highest priority will be given to proposals that directly involve recreational and commercial fishers across a broad geographic area in addressing these red snapper research priorities, and also in helping to improve the understanding of, and address the biological, economic, and social factors associated with discards of other overfished species in the snapper-grouper fishery, including gag, red grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy. NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications.
Projects will be further prioritized based on the 1) magnitude of their potential dead discard reduction; 2) potential to increase fisher satisfaction; 3) feasibility of implementation; and 4) assurance of quality and integrity of data collection.
Funding Information
This solicitation announces up to $880,000 in federal funds that may be available in 2024. NOAA anticipates approximately 70-80% of these funds will be allocated to studies of recreational red snapper discard reduction strategies since the recreational sector accounts for a majority of the discards. The remaining funds will be allocated to studies of commercial red snapper discard reduction strategies. NOAA anticipates 3-5 projects will be selected for funding. The maximum award will not exceed $250,000.
Award Period
The award period is one year (12 months), but NOAA will consider applications for projects with up to a 24-month period of performance. Year 2 funding for any 24-month projects selected under this solicitation would be contingent on the availability of out-year funds. Proposals should clearly identify objectives and products to be completed during that period of activity. The requested start date must begin on the first day of the month and end on the last day of the month. The earliest start date for projects will be April 1, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, individuals, and state, local, and Indian Tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible.
For more information, visit Grant.gov.
