Alaska Native Organization Co-Management Funding Program

The National Marine Fisheries Service (hereinafter, "NMFS") recognizes the unique importance of marine mammals to Alaska Native Organizations (hereinafter, "ANOs") and values ongoing efforts by Alaska Native Tribes and ANOs to conserve and protect subsistence species under NMFS' jurisdiction. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 1388, NMFS may provide Federal assistance to ANOs to conserve marine mammals and to promote co-management of Alaska Native subsistence use of such mammals under NMFS' jurisdiction. This assistance, provided in the form of cooperative agreements, can be used to support conservation of...

Eligible ANO applicants must have an existing marine mammal agreement for co-management with NMFS and be in "good standing" with NMFS. An applicant is considered to be in "good standing" if the ANO meets the following criteria: 1) No pending enforcement actions under the MMPA or ESA. 2) Progress and financial reports on current Federal assistance awards are up-to-date and/or completed in a timely manner. 3) Satisfactory past performance. This includes completion of proposed projects in a timely manner or as stated in previous proposals. Unsatisfactory performance under prior or current Federal awards, including delinquency in submitting progress and financial reports and inability in meeting proposal objectives and tasks within the project period, may result in proposals not being considered for funding or affect the final funding recommendation under the 2012 Alaska Native Co-Management Funding Program. 4) Ability to operate within the purpose and goals described within the agreement for co-management with NMFS. ANOs meeting the eligibility criteria above may choose to apply under another entity acting as a fiscal agent for the ANO, provided the application contains a thorough description of the relationship between the ANO and the fiscal agent entity and the responsibilities undertaken by each party. The ANO will be the lead entity/organization as named in the application. Any ANO not holding an existing agreement for co-management with NMFS may collaborate with and apply as a sub-recipient under an eligible applicant (i.e., another ANO) for this program.

Steve Drescher Policy Advisor