August 6, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
NOAA Fisheries is soliciting proposals for the 2025 Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program funding opportunity, which opened August 1, 2024 and will close September 30, 2024. The solicitation and administrative aspects of the funding opportunity are being handled by the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). All project proposals should support the New England Fishery Management Council’s scallop research priorities as shown in the table below.
Successful applicants are awarded pounds of scallops that have been “set aside” to pay for research expenses. No federal funds are provided. Researchers and fishermen partner to harvest awarded scallops, and the proceeds are used to fund the research and compensate fishing industry partners.
NEW THIS YEAR: During its June 2024 meeting, the Council approved several changes to the Scallop RSA Program, including a request to NOAA Fisheries to allow scallop enhancement research to be funded for up to three years with an option for a one-year extension. Regional scallop surveys used for stock assessments and specification-setting already can be funded for up to four years – with an option for a one-year extension for completing grant reports and data analysis. All other projects can be funded for up to two years.