Deadline: 28-Oct-22
The Department of Commerce is seeking applications for its Bluefin Tuna Research Program to provide a basis for advancing science-based fisheries management for Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Such advancement will depend upon improvements in understanding of the fisheries and biology of bluefin tuna, especially regarding the effects of mixing and movement between the eastern and western Atlantic populations. Contracting Parties to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), of which the US is one, and other partners have embarked upon a multi-year research program on bluefin tuna as a step toward improving ICCAT’s science-based management of Bluefin fisheries.
Program Priorities
- The main premise for a Bluefin Tuna Research Program (BTRP) project is to provide usable and relevant information to aid fishery researchers, scientists, and managers to make informed management decisions. The Standing Committee for Research and Statistics (SCRS), which develops scientific advice for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), has developed a list of priorities for research needed to improve bluefin tuna stock assessments.
- Research priorities for this funding opportunity include:
- Representative sampling of hard and soft tissues and associated analytical techniques for studies of population genomics, stock composition, age composition, growth and total reproductive contribution by size and age.
- Large-scale conventional, electronic and genetic tagging experiments specifically designed to estimate movement rates, abundance, and mortality of the eastern or western stocks.
- Historical data (both paper copies or archived biological material) mining to sharpen estimates of catch, catch composition, fishing effort, and spatial aspects of catch.
- Simulation modeling to evaluate the performance of assessment models and management strategies in light of uncertainties related to stock mixing, reproductive potential and other life history traits.
- Improving the quality of fishery data for stock assessments (e.g., using advanced technology to obtain representative data on catch per unit effort, size composition, etc…).
- Developing novel fishery-independent techniques to estimate abundance, mortality or to implement novel management strategies (e.g., using advanced technology, genomics or enhancing coverage through effective multi-institution partnerships).
- Integration of satellite remote sensing, oceanographic modeling and other multidisciplinary scientific products to consider environmental effects upon biology (recruitment, mortality, movement, etc), fishery operations or to resolve the uncertainties in current and historical recruitment.
Funding Information
- Approximately $600,000 may be available in fiscal year (FY) 2023 for projects. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon FY 2023 Congressional appropriations. The NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center estimates awarding approximately 5 projects that will range from $25,000 to $300,000. The expected average award is $125,000.
- The period of awards can be for a maximum period of up to 12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Individuals
- County governments
- State governments
- City or township governments
- Small businesses
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=342636
