July 22, 2013 — The following is from the Senate Committee on Appropriations report on appropriation (S. 1329) for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014:
The bill maintains the provision restricting the use of the Promote and Develop Fisheries Products and Research funds transferred from the Department of Agriculture to NOAA in a way that better meets the intended purpose of the transfer mandated by the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act. None of the funds may be used for internal NOAA management, but rather funds may only be used for activities that directly help U.S. fisheries and fishery communities. Specifically, these funds may only be used for: cooperative research; annual stock assessments; efforts to improve data collection, including catch monitoring and reporting for commercial, charter, and recreational fisheries; interjurisdictional fisheries grants; and Fisheries Information Networks.
The Committee further directs that no less than 10 percent of the total amount of the transferred funds shall be provided for the competitive Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant program. For fiscal year 2014, NOAA shall direct these funds toward community-based bridge plans designed to help coastal fishing industries adapt to reductions in allowable catches by retooling their fishing fleets, shore services, and port facilities into sustainable and innovative businesses. The Committee sees the value in using this transition assistance to stabilize our Nation’s valuable fishing communities during times of recovery.
As part of the 2014 spending plan, NOAA shall include a clear accounting of how the Promote and Develop transfer funds will be allocated. Furthermore, NOAA shall provide a clear accounting of how the agency plans to allocate these transferred funds based on the funding criteria described in this bill.