Grants focus on NEPA; Ecosystem Management; Fisheries Management; Database and Information Processing; Marine Protected Areas & Sanctuaries; Strategic Planning & Outreach; Capacity Reduction; Research, Planning and Coordination; Marine Turtle Conservation; and Coral Reef.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are used by the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils to prepare plans and amendments to recommend to the Secretary of Commerce, under the MSFCMA.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eight Regional Fishery Management Councils (New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Pacific, North Pacific and Western Pacific) as established by the MSFCMA.

These councils can best be described as "quasi-government" because they are sponsored by the Federal government, specifically funded by Congress but the members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce from the private sector; they are not Federal employees.

Beneficiary Eligibility

This program benefits commercial and recreational fishing enterprises in the EEZ. Foreign fishing enterprises may also benefit from this program if authorized to conduct fishing operations. U.S. consumers will benefit as a result of availability of seafood. Imports may be reduced and exports may be increased.

Credentials/Documentation

Generally a work plan for the funding year.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

States are not directly included in this program, though each coastal State has an official representative on the appropriate Council(s).

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

Applications are initially evaluated by the respective National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Administrators and are forwarded to NMFS Headquarters for final approval. They are then forwarded for processing to the Grants Management Division, Office of Administration, NOAA.

Deadlines

Project applications should be submitted 120 days in advance of desired effective date.

Authorization

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1852.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days.

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Multi-year awards of up to five years may be approved. Funding for multi-year projects beyond the first year is contingent upon the availability of program funds in subsequent fiscal years, and the extent to which the recipient meets project objectives and reporting requirements.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards can be approved for one year due to annual Congressional appropriation schedule. 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

Reporting requirements are outlined in 50 CFR Part 605, Guidelines for Council Operation/Administration.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Records will be retained in accordance with provisions of 15 CFR Part 14 for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations and with 15 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments. Generally, a recipient is required to retain records relating to a particular grant for three (3) 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

FY 07 $22,000,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$890,500 to $2,034,500. Average: $1,637,500.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

50 CFR Chapter 6; the Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures, and 50 CFR Part 605 Operational Guidelines for Council Operations. Allowable cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes; OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit and for- profit organizations; OMB Circular A-21 for institutions of higher education; and 48 CFR Part 31 for commercial organizations. Financial assistance management will be in accordance with 15 CFR Part 14 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit and commercial organizations, and with 15 CRF Part 24 for state and local governments.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Alaska: Alaska Regional Office, Barbara Fosburg, NMFS, P.O. Box 12668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668. Telephone: (907) 586-7273. Use the same numbers for FTS. Email: barbara.fosburg@noaa.gov. Northeast: Harold C. Mears, State, Federal and Constituent Programs Office; Northeast Region, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. Telephone: (978) 281-9243. Fax: (978) 281- 9117. Email: grants.information@noaa.gov. Northwest Regional Office, Kevin Ford or Stehpen Freese, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115-6349 Telephone: (206) 526-6115 or 6113). Email Kevin.Ford@noaa.gov or Stephen.Freese@noaa.gov. Pacific Islands Region: Scott Bloom or Dan Namur, Federal Program Officer, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96814-4700. Telephone: (808) 973-2941. Email: scott.bloom@noaa.gov or dan.namur@noaa.gov. Southeast: Cynthia Binkley, Federal Program Officer, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13 Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Telephone: (727) 824-5324.. Fax: (727) 824-5364 Email: Cynthia.Binkley@noaa.gov. Southwest: Patricia Culver, Federal Program Officer, Southwest Region Office, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802- 4213. Telephone: (310) 980-4239. Fax: (562) 980-4047. Email: trisha.culver@noaa.gov.

Headquarters Office

None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

This program is non- competitive. It is Congressionally mandated.