To provide grants and cooperative agreements for biological, economic, sociological, public policy, and other research and administration projects to benefit U.S.

fisheries industries and contribute to the economic and social welfare of the Nation; also, to award grants and cooperative agreements

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to develop innovative approaches and methods for ensuring the safety, quality and integrity of U.S.

fishery products; also, to provide funds to the five States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, for projects or other measures designed to alleviate the long-term effects of disasters on the Gulf's fishery resources and associated habitat.

To facilitate the administration, coordination and implementation of the research activities of the Cooperative Institute for Fisheries Molecular Biology (FISHTEC).

The goal of FISHTEC is to develop, test, and apply new technology in molecular biology for use in management of commercial and recreational marine fisheries.

Emphasis of the research program is placed on development of molecular genetics techniques to identify and evaluate the status of fish stocks/populations subject to fishing pressure and/or environmental impacts.

To support the implementation of community-based demonstration projects in the U.S.

western Pacific that promote the development of fishery-related industries and the economic self-sufficiency of native Pacific islanders and communities.

Southeast: Restoration of the bay scallop in Florida - an integrated approach to stock enhancement and evaluation of benefit; Mississippi's shellfish restoration and enhancement project; Monitoring the impact of environmental perturbations on commercial fishermen; Restoration and research of Alabama marine fisheries affected by natural disaster. Develop methods to restore Louisiana oyster habitat by recycling oyster shell and comparing alternative cultch materials for restoring oyster reefs. Provide funding for marketing domestic shrimp.Pacific Island: Native Fishery Observer Program; Hawaii Seafood Program; Western Pacific Demonstration Program Projects.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds can be used by recipients to support a wide variety of research and management activities for high- priority marine and estuarine resources, especially for species and/or their habitat currently under, or proposed for future Federal or interjurisdictional management.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants for assistance include State and local governments, including their universities and colleges; U.S.

territorial agencies; Federal and State-recognized Indian Tribal governments; private universities and colleges; private profit and nonprofit research and conservation organizations and/or individuals.

Beneficiary Eligibility

This program benefits Federal, State, and interstate marine resource conservation and management agencies; U.S. and foreign commercial and recreational fishing industries; conservation organizations, academic institutions; international and Indian Tribal treaties; private and public research groups; consumers; and the general public.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants are required to satisfy all DOC/NOAA standards and regulations, including routine and special terms and conditions, for financial assistance programs application and conduct.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms as furnished by the agency.

Depending on the Authorization, some elements of this program are covered by E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Proposals are submitted through Grants.Gov. Applicants will need to enter the Funding Opportunity Number and/or CFDA number to access the application package and instructions. Application package will then be submitted directly to the (Name of your Office - Example Coastal Services Center). Proposals are subject to the requirements of 15 CFR Parts 14 and 24, as applicable.

Award Procedures

Proposals are initially evaluated by the pertinent NMFS office/region/science center, or their component laboratories, and are subject to review for technical merit, soundness of design, competency of the applicant to perform the proposed work, potential contribution of the project to national or regional goals, and appropriateness and reasonableness of proposed costs. Projects recommended for funding will be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division for review and approval.

Deadlines

Project applications must be received by the receiving NMFS office at least 90 days before the requested start date of the project.

Authorization

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C. 661-666c; Department of Commerce Appropriation Act of 1999; Public Law 103-211; Saltonstall-Kennedy Act, 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approval time is expected to range for 90 to 120 days, which includes processing of the award through the NMFS, NOAA and DOC financial assistance procedures.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Grants and cooperative agreements are approved on an annual basis, but may be continued beyond the first segment, subject to approved time frame and scope of work, satisfactory progress, and availability of funds. Renewal of an award to increase funding, extend the period of an award to increase funding, or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the Department.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Projects are funded at up to 100 percent of the Federal share. Depending upon the Authorization, grantee matching contributions may be required.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards are normally for a 12-month period. In some instances, award periods may extend beyond 12 months, or may be completed in less than 12 months. Award funds must be spent in the indicated budget period and are expended in accordance with DOC/NOAA finance and reporting procedures. Funds are released in advance or by reimbursement, as agreed to in the Standard Terms and Conditions document required for each grant.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reports are due in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award.

The Department's financial assistance standard terms and conditions generally require that financial and performance reports be submitted semi annually.

Progress reports summarize work accomplished and explain situations where expected work has not been completed.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document.

Records

Generally, a recipient is required to retain records relating to a particular grant for three years from the date of submission of the final financial report. In cases where litigation, claim or an audit is initiated prior to expiration of the three-year period, records must be retained until the action and resolution of any issues associated with it are complete or until the end of the three- year retention period; whichever is latest.

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-1450-0-1-306.

Obigations

(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $14,000,000; FY 08 est available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$50,000 to $150,000. Average: $100,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-21 for Institutions of Higher Education, A-87 for State and Local Governments, and with A-122 for Nonprofit Organizations. For grants management principles, see 15 CFR 24 (States and local governments) and 15 CFR 14 for other recipients.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Alaska: Shawn Carey, NMFS, Alaska Regional Office, P.O. Box 12668, Juneau, AK 99802. Telephone: (907) 586-7280. E-mail: shawn.carey@noaa.gov. Northeast: Harold C. Mears, Director, State, Federal, and Constituent Programs Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Region, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. Telephone: (978)281-9243. Fax: (978) 281- 9117. E-mail: Grants.Information@noaa.gov. Northwest: Kevin Ford, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. Telephone: (206) 526-6115. Fax: (206) 526- 4461. Email: Kevin.Ford@noaa.gov. Southeast: Jeffrey Brown, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Telephone: (727) 824-5364 Fax: (727) 824-5364. E-mail: jeff.brown@noaa.gov. Southwest: Patricia Culver, Federal Program Officer, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. Telephone: (562) 980-4033. Fax: (562) 980-4047. E-mail: trisha.culver@noaa.gov. PIRO: Scott Bloom, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814. Telephone: (808)944- 2218. Fax: (808)973-2941. E-mail: scott.bloom@noaa.gov.

Headquarters Office

JoAnna Grable, Management and Administration Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-1364. Use the same number for FTS. Fax: (301) 713-2258. E-mail: joanna.grable@noaa.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals may be selected from several sources, e.g., unsolicited proposals, Congressionally-mandated projects, applications received as a result of notices published in the Federal Register. Recipients and sub recipients are subject to all applicable Federal laws and Federal and Departmental policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.