Regional Fishery Management Councils (11.441)

 

Program

11.441 Regional Fishery Management Councils

 

Federal Agency

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 

Authorization

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

 

Program Number

11.441

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

The objectives of the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils are to prepare, monitor and revise fishery management plans and data collection programs for domestic and foreign fishing within the 200-mile U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This is done with approval and implementation by the Secretary of Commerce who has stewardship responsibility for living marine resources in the EEZ under the MSFCMA.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

 

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.

 

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.

 

Application 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 Procedure

Submission of application on Standard Form 424 to the appropriate National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Regional Administrator as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. This program is subject to the provisions of 50 CFR 601 and 605, 15 CFR 14, and OMB Circular No. A-122.

Award Procedure

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.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Grants to the Councils are approved on an annual basis and are contingent upon the availability of funding each fiscal year based on annual appropriations. (Congressional appropriation by program project and activity).

 

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 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 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.

 

Program Accomplishments

In 2002, one new Fishery Management Plan for the New England/Mid-Atlantic Tilefish Fishery and eight new FMP amendments were implemented. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council: Continued administrative support as well as specific projects related to Steller sea lion research, American Fisheries Act Implementation, and NEPA.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-1450-0-1-306.

Obligations

(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 $20,707,751; FY 03 est $15,000,000; and FY 04 est $15,000,000.

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.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Councils should make initial contact relative to this program at the regional offices of the National Marine Fisheries Service as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-2334. Fax: (301) 713-0596. Email: jack.dunnigan@noaa.gov.

Web Site Address

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/domes_fish/index.htm

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

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