August 6, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The federal competition for 2019-2020 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Awards is now open.
The deadline for submitting full proposals is 5 p.m., Monday, October 1, 2018.
The New England Fishery Management Council sets research priorities for this industry-funded program, while NOAA Fisheries, through the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, manages the RSA competition and administers the program.
During its June meeting in Portland, ME, the Council approved two categories of priorities for this latest RSA cycle. These include: (1) “high” priorities, which are ranked; and (2) “general research areas,” which are not ranked in any order of preference.
Each year during the specification-setting process, the Council “sets aside” 1.25 million pounds scallops to carry out the program. Awards are made in pounds, not dollars, and no federal funding is provided. Instead, proceeds generated from the sale of set-aside scallops are used to fund research activities and compensate participating vessels.
The New England Council established the Scallop RSA Program to address research questions that support management of the scallop resource. The work is conducted collaboratively between fishermen and scientists. Research results directly contribute to stock assessments and help the Council better manage the fishery overall.
Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn called the RSA program “one of the flagships of the scallop fishery.”