Group items tagged

Healthy and productive fisheries are an essential component of the U.S. economy. There is increasing concern about the impacts of climate variability and change on fish stocks, fisheries, and marine ecosystems in the U.S. Climate variability and change influences many parameters (e.g. extreme events, winds, ocean temperatures, stratification, currents, coastal precipitation, inundation, etc.) that directly and indirectly affect marine ecosystem conditions including the abundance, distribution, and productivity of fish stocks that support economically important fisheries. Sustainable fisheries management in a changing climate requires an improved understanding of how climate, fishing, and other stressors interact to affect fish stocks (including their habitats and prey), fisheries and fishing-dependent communities. To address these issues of growing concern, in 2014 the Office of Atmospheric Research (OAR) Climate Program Office and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Science and Technology launched a new partnership to advance understanding of climate-related impacts on fish or other species that support economically important fisheries and fishing communities. The goal is to inform sustainable fisheries management and promote resilience of the nation's fish stocks and fisheries in a changing climate. For FY17, this OAR/NMFS partnership, through the Coastal and Ocean Climate Applications (COCA) Program, will continue to take a regional approach to improving the resilience and adaptation of fisheries in a changing climate by soliciting proposals under two competitions. The first competition solicits proposals for projects in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) and the second competition solicits proposals for projects in the Northeast US Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (NESLME).

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. The PFW Program is delivered through more than 250 full-time staff, active in all 50 States and territories. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. Geographic focus areas define where the program directs resources to conserve habitat for federal trust species. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from Service field staff. Projects must advance the Department of the Interior's mission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission, and PFW's mission, promote biological diversity, and based upon sound scientific biological principles. Program strategic plans inform the types of projects funded under this opportunity. Applicants seeking funding under this program should contact the appropriate PFW Regional Program office prior to submitting an application for funding. ***Applicants seeking technical or financial assistance from the PFW Program are requested to consult with the Regional PFW Program office BEFORE developing or submitting an application (see Section VIII. Agency Contacts).***Legal authorities: Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006, S.260 Public Law 109-294; Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C. 742a-c, 747e-742j; and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C. 661 667(e).

The National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) is a voluntary program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to partners. The program work in partnership to provide fish (and other aquatic organisms) passage and restore aquatic connectivity for the benefit of federal trust resources. Activities which restore fish passage supports the modernization of country's infrastructure such as road culverts, bridges and water diversions. Fish friendly infrastructure provides a means for fish to be self resilient and maintain or increase population's providing for quality of fishing for many species. The NFPP is delivered through more than 65 Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) Field Offices across all States and territories. FAC staff coordinates with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify and collaboratively implement projects within Regional priority areas. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from FAC staff. Projects must advance our mission, promote biological diversity, and be based upon sound scientific biological principles. FAC and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) strategic plans inform the types of projects funded under this opportunity. Applicants seeking funding under this program should review the program strategic plan and also contact the regional NFPP Coordinator that corresponds to the location of the project for additional regional priorities prior to submitting an application for funding.

The Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Program provides technical and financial assistance to other federal agencies, states, local governments, Native American tribes, non-governmental organizations, citizen groups, and landowners for the conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources. This includes minimizing the establishment, spread, and impact of aquatic invasive species. Specifically, aquatic habitat conservation projects under this program must protect, restore, and enhance fish and aquatic habitats, as outlined in the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (Action Plan). Likewise, projects under this program, directly or indirectly, support and promote public access to recreational fishing opportunities and the sustainable use of other natural resources. Funded projects may be carried out by Fish Habitat Partnerships (FHPs) recognized by the National Fish Habitat Board (Board) or the partners of Board recognized FHPs. More information about the FHPs and their partners can be found online at www.fishhabitat.org.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative targets the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem by funding and implementing federal projects that address these problems. One goal is to improve habitat and wildlife protection and restoration. Using funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program anticipates funding wetland and associated upland habitat restoration and enhancement projects for conservation of native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, particularly migratory birds. Restoration projects will be completed on privately owned (nonfederal/nonstate) lands. Emphasis will be placed on, but not limited to, completing projects within the watersheds of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. In the Great Lakes, PFW biologists from eight states coordinate with project partners, stakeholders, and other Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) requests interested entities to submit research, restoration, and Regional Project proposals for the restoration of the Great Lakes Basin fish and wildlife resources, as authorized under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (16 USC 941c). The purpose of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA) is to provide assistance to States, Indian Tribes, and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration and management of the fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. Supported in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we expect approximately $1.2 million to support projects this fiscal year. Available funding and project awards are subject to final Congressional appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018. Up to 33 and one-third percent of the total Congressional appropriation to the GLFWRA is eligible to fund Regional Projects. Successful restoration and research projects have ranged from $2,300 to $2,000,000 with the average project at $124,975.

This funding opportunity is a notice of intent to award a single source grant to Winston-Salem State University to help meet the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) need for information and collaboration directed at high impact questions surrounding threats to fish and wildlife resources for which management and/or mitigation is required to maintain species at healthy, sustainable, desired levels. The Service must base its decisions on the best science available, in order to defend its regulatory decisions, biological opinions and species conservation recommendations to land managers. The Service uses a science-based, adaptive framework for setting and achieving broad-scale conservation objectives that strategically address the problems fish and wildlife will face in the future. This framework, called Strategic Habitat Conservation, is based on the principles of adaptive management and uses population and habitat data, ecological models, and focused monitoring and assessment efforts to develop and implement strategies that result in measurable fish and wildlife population outcomes. This process uses the best available scientific information to predict how fish and wildlife populations will respond to changes in the environment, thus enabling the Service to focus habitat conservation and other management activities where they will be most effective.

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the largest maritime oil spill in United States history, discharging millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over a period of eighty-seven days. In addition, approximately 1.8 million gallons of dispersants (products that break up oil into smaller particles) were applied to the spill area. Many oceanic, or pelagic, fish species in the Gulf were injured during the spill, including tuna, billfish, sharks and mackerel, as well as deepwater fish such as lancetfish. Fishing businesses and communities depend on these natural resources, which are also a critical component of the Gulf ecosystem. But many of these species have yet to be fully restored.

The Arctic Goose Joint Venture (AGJV) is a partnership-based program under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan(NAWMP) that provides and improves scientific information to support and promote effective management, monitoring, and conservation of northern-nesting geese. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS, or Service), a partner in the AGJV, administers financial assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements), purchase orders, and contracts on a competitive basis for projects and studies that advance the general scientific community's understanding of goose ecology and management and is seeking proposals from interested parties.The USFWS is authorized to support Migratory Bird Joint Ventures through the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended (16 U.S.C. 742a-754); Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (16 U.S.C. 661-667e); Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (16 U.S.C, 2901-2911); Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 709a); and Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-43).

This notice is an announcement for issuing a single source financial assistance award. Legislative authority is based on U. S. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C. 661 666; Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 742a; Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 US.C. 2901 2911; and or specific Congressional action, generally through the annual Appropriations Act, i.e., The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that cites new or relevant environmental and or conservation statutes and activities for a defined purpose consistent with the mission, expertise, and goals of the Agency.

This funding is being provided as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CFDA 15.678). The funding will provide for fish otoliths preparation and analysis to evaluate selenium exposure and sources in Sacramento Splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus). Funding authority: Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. (742f (a)(4); Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 661.; Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 753), Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended (16 U.S.C. 4601-4 through 11), Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543). Unraveling Pathways and Sources of Selenium Exposure in Sacramento Splittail. Otoliths will be prepared using established techniques (Barnett-Johnson et al. 2005, Woodson et al. 2013, Sturrock et al. 2015), cleaned then mounted in Crystalbond resin and polished until the primordia and daily increments are exposed and examined using X-ray fluorescence microscopy to evaluate selenium patterns.

A priority for the Utah BLM is to improve the health and productivity of public lands through investing in our public lands to enhance wildlife habitat, restore watershed and riparian areas, and enhance partnerships to maximize resources that result in healthier landscapes. The objectives for this umbrella announcement will allow for the development of partnerships that provide for one or more of the following types of objectives: â¿¢ Provide technical support for aquatic and riparian resource assessments during land use planning, utilizing landscape or regional assessments such as the Rapid Ecoregional Assessments, Beaver Restoration Tool, Riparian Condition Assessment Tool, Aquatic Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Data, High Resolution Riparian Land Cover Mapping, fish habitat data, geomorphic change detection data, Conservation Success Index and Native Salmonid Population Viability Analysis. â¿¢ Provide technical support for aquatic and riparian restoration planning, implementation and monitoring utilizing existing landscape or regional assessments such as the Rapid Ecoregional Assessments, Beaver Restoration Tool, Riparian Condition Assessment Tool, Aquatic Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Data, High Resolution Riparian Land Cover Mapping, fish habitat data, geomorphic change detection data, Conservation Success Index and Native Salmonid Population Viability Analysis. â¿¢ Develop and assist with implementation of on-the-ground cold and warm water fisheries habitat restoration projects for native fish and other species â¿¢ Develop and assist with implementation of on-the-ground habitat restoration projects which will also support riparian restoration in Greater Sage-Grouse priority habitats â¿¢ Develop working lands/conservation ranching initiatives which support conservation of native fish and riparian resources using land management practices which support healthy, balanced ecosystems.

The North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) sponsors a cash awards program to support research relating to the conservation of North America's indigenous fish fauna. NANFA wishes to support research that contributes to the sustainable existence of North American native fishes, especially those that are imperiled.

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. The PFW Program is delivered through more than 250 full-time staff, active in all 50 States and territories. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. Geographic focus areas are where the PFW Program directs resources to conserve habitat for federal trust species. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from Service field staff. Projects must advance our mission, promote biological diversity, and be based upon sound scientific biological principles. Program strategic plans inform the types of projects funded under this opportunity. Applicants seeking funding under this program should review the program strategic plan and also contact the regional PFW Program office prior to submitting an application for funding.

Grants will fund projects related to the Waitt Foundation mission of supporting sustainable fishing and marine protected areas (MPAs). This includes sub-themes of: Scientific Research - Includes natural science or social science projects. For example, collecting baseline data before coastal development or MPA establishment, or studying fishery effects of a natural (e.g. tsunami) or man-made (e.g. oil spill) disaster. Policy - Includes opportunistic projects around unique public policy windows, such as preparation of policy analysis and support of experts' efforts to inform decision makers on upcoming government actions. For example, a cost-benefit analysis of proposed fishing regulations, or travel expenses for a delegation of scientists to educate elected officials. Management - Includes enforcement and infrastructure support. For example, stop-gap funding to increase enforcement capacity in light of a sudden uptick in illegal dynamite fishing, or training personnel to enforce new regulations about to go into effect. Communications - Includes raising public awareness and engaging stakeholders, including advertizing by a 501(c)3 group around a public policy moment. For example, a PR blitz (e.g. billboards or radio adds) to educate the public in advance of government action on an ocean conservation measure, or training local people to become citizen scientists or enforcement tipsters.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Midwest Region, is soliciting proposals to conduct field assessments of aquatic barriers and fish passability in tributaries in Lake Huron, Erie, and Ontario watersheds. Data collected on dams will be incorporated into an already developed barrier database and will enable improved estimates of aquatic barrier removal costs, cumulative passability within watersheds, and infrastructure maintenance challenges. Understanding these challenges helps efforts to modernizes infrastructure (DOI priority 8), and restores trust among the various partners and landowners affected by dams in need of repair or removal (DOI priority 3). By fall 2018, dam assessments will be complete for the entire Lake Michigan and Superior watersheds. The desire is to have a comprehensive assessment and common dam data for the entire Great Lakes basin. As such, any proposal must compliment and collect data comparable to the prior assessments and be incorporated into the existing barrier database. The University of Wisconsin â¿¿ Madison developed a field barrier assessment protocol with the USFWS, the GLFC, and others. This included data collection on infrastructure condition, height and width, and fish passage technologies along with barrier pictures and recording GPS coordinates. The grantee is expected to use this, or a similar protocol (i.e., minimum data collection must match the fields on the existing protocol), for assessments to ensure compatible data is collected.

Grants will fund projects related to the Waitt Foundation mission of supporting sustainable fishing and marine protected areas (MPAs). This includes sub-themes of: Scientific Research - Includes natural science or social science projects. For example, collecting baseline data before coastal development or MPA establishment, or studying fishery effects of a natural (e.g. tsunami) or man-made (e.g. oil spill) disaster. Policy - Includes opportunistic projects around unique public policy windows, such as preparation of policy analysis and support of experts' efforts to inform decision makers on upcoming government actions. For example, a cost-benefit analysis of proposed fishing regulations, or travel expenses for a delegation of scientists to educate elected officials. Management - Includes enforcement and infrastructure support. For example, stop-gap funding to increase enforcement capacity in light of a sudden uptick in illegal dynamite fishing, or training personnel to enforce new regulations about to go into effect. Communications - Includes raising public awareness and engaging stakeholders, including advertising by a 501(c)3 group around a public policy moment. For example, a PR blitz (e.g. billboards or radio adds) to educate the public in advance of government action on an ocean conservation measure, or training local people to become citizen scientists or enforcement tipsters.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is pleased to announce the National Coastal Resilience Fund. Projects funded under this national program will provide benefits to communities, as well as for fish and wildlife. In partnership with NOAA, NFWF will make investments to advance identified priorities for restoring and strengthening natural systems so they can protect coastal communities from the impacts of storms and floods and enable them to recover more quickly, while also enhancing habitats for important fish and wildlife populations.

Launched in 2005 as a partnership between Walmart Stores and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Acres for America, NFWF's premier land conservation program, was established to provide urgently needed funding for projects that conserve important large-scale habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants through land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements. The program gives preferential consideration to proposals that demonstrate potential to achieve more than one of the program's priorities, which include conserving critical habitats for birds, fish, plants, and wildlife; connecting existing protected lands to unify wild places and protect critical migration routes; providing access to the outdoors for people; and ensuring the future of local economies that depend on forestry, ranching, and wildlife.

A project to improve juvenile fish habitat on the mainstem of the Sacramento River in Shasta and Tehama Counties has been in development for a few years. The dynamic river system has been monitored and mapped with the goal of protecting the early life history of threatened and endangered salmonids from flow fluctuations. The mainstem Sacramento River from River Mile 230 to 300 is impacted by dam operations as part of the USBR Central Valley Project. At this time, partnerships are being built to start to work on the next phases of the project. These partnerships involve many landowners who each own a small section of this 70 mile section of river. Monitoring will continue and sites with willing landowners will be designed to have a downward slope so that juvenile fish will be able to swim out with the outgoing flowing water. Steps to comply with the necessary environmental compliance regulations will also be undertaken. Funds for this project are expected to be available within the next few months. In the future, additional funds for implementation at additional sites may also become available (approx. $300,000 per year for the next 2 years). Additional incremental funding may be provided for restoration of juvenile habitat which will include the tasks of planning, environmental compliance, design, project management and construction. Juvenile salmonid habitat along the mainstem Sacramento River is a high priority for the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program (CFDA 15.648).