FY 20-21 Fishery Management Council Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements

The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, 16 U.S.C. §§ 6401-6409, provides financial assistance through the Fishery Management Council

Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements (FMCCRCCA) to the Regional Fishery Management Councils for projects to conserve and manage coral reef fisheries, as authorized under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Projects funded through the FMCCRCCA are for activities that: 1) Provide better scientific information to improve the management of shallow-water coral reef fisheries and associated essential fish habitat; 2) Work collaboratively with local fishery management agencies fishers, local communities, and other key stakeholders to build capacity and support for coral reef fishery management; and 3) Advance ecosystem-based fisheries management though the incorporation of existing data and fisheries management and enforcement tools. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a two-year cooperative agreement. The role of NOAA in the FMCCRCCA is to help identify potential projects to improve sustainable management of shallow coral reef fisheries and ecosystems, strengthen the development and implementation of the projects, and assist in coordination of these efforts with Federal, state, territory or commonwealth management authorities and various coral reef user groups. Approximately $1,250,000 is expected to be available for FMCCRCCA in FY 2020. The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program anticipates that awards will range from $125,000-$500,000 per a year. Continued funding depends on future Congressional appropriations, NOAA/CRCP priorities, and successful recipient performance in the first year of the award.

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