September 18, 2014 — The following was released by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS):
NMFS, in coordination with the New England Fishery Management Council (Council), is soliciting Atlantic Sea Scallop (scallop) research proposals to utilize scallop Total Allowable Catch (TAC) that has been set-aside by the Council to fund scallop research endeavors through the 2015/2016 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. No federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, proceeds generated from the sale of RSA quota will be used to fund research activities and compensate vessels that participate in research activities and/or harvest set-aside quota.
Projects funded under the Scallop RSA Program must enhance the knowledge of the scallop fishery resource or contribute to the body of information on which scallop management decisions are made. Priority will be given to scallop research proposals that investigate research priorities identified by the Council, which are detailed under the Program Priorities section of the attached announcement.
Complete proposals/applications must be received on or before 5 p.m. EDT on November 12, 2014.
For more information or questions on the RSA Programs, please visit http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/coopresearch/rsa_program.html or contact Cheryl.Corbett@noaa.gov