NFWF Announces $521,833 in Grants to Support Sustainable Fisheries in Six U.S. States

WASHINGTON D.C. (December 3, 2018) –The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $521,833 in grants to support sustainable fisheries through fishermen and community-led projects in California, Florida, Louisiana, Alaska, Massachusetts and Hawaii. The grants will generate $780,287 in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of more than $1.3 million.

The grants were awarded through the Fisheries Innovation Fund (FIF) a partnership between NFWF and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This year's projects will reduce bycatch, address the needs of recreational fisheries and enhance sustainable economic opportunities for fishing communities around the United States.

"NFWF is excited to support these locally led projects that will advance marine aquaculture, increase public access for recreational anglers and build capacity in fisheries and fishing communities," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. 

Grant recipients will build capacity among fishermen and fishing communities, promote full utilization of annual catch limits and help implement marine aquaculture by developing new markets, increasing fishing access, minimizing bycatch and reducing discard mortality.

Examples of projects funded through these grants include: 

• LocalBounty will test new troll gear to maximize catch of target rockfish while reducing bycatch of overfished species of concern such as cowcod and yelloweye in the Monterey Bay area of California. 
• In Alaska, Aleutians East Borough will pilot a new initiative that advances aquaculture development through identifying sites to implement kelp mariculture. 
• The University of Hawaii will improve recreational fishing opportunities by mapping access points. 

A complete list of the 2018 grants made through FIF is available here.

"The Fisheries Innovation Fund provides critical support for initiatives developed by fishermen and fishing communities," said Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries. "We are committed to our partnership with NFWF in support of innovative approaches to sustainable management of recreational and commercial fisheries. We look forward to collaborating with the grant recipients on projects that enhance fishing opportunities and strengthen coastal communities."

FIF was established in 2010 to increase revenue and provide sustainable access and fishing opportunities for both commercial and recreational fishermen in the United States. Since its inception, FIF has awarded $10.4 million to 104 projects in the Northeast the mid-Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast, Hawaii, Alaska and the Great Lakes. 

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Chartered by Congress, in 1984 the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 4,500 organizations and generated a conservation impact of more than $4.8 billion. Learn more at www.nfwf.org.

About the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Twitter Facebook Instagram and our other social media channels.

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