[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11149-11155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4417]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 001214350-0350-01, I.D. 112700B]
RIN 0648-Z098


Financial Assistance for Research and Development Projects in the 
Gulf of Mexico and Off the U.S. South Atlantic Coastal States; Marine 
Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Subject to the availability of funds, NMFS, through its MARFIN 
program, financially assists persons in carrying out research and 
development projects that optimize the use of fisheries in the Gulf of 
Mexico and off the South Atlantic States of North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Georgia, and Florida involving the U.S. fishing industry 
(recreational and commercial), including fishery biology, resource 
assessment, socio-economic assessment, management and conservation, 
selected harvesting methods, and fish handling and processing. This 
notice describes how to apply for such assistance and how NMFS selects 
applications for funding.

DATES: Applications for funding under this program will be accepted 
between February 22, 2001 and 5 p.m. eastern daylight time on April 23, 
2001. Applications received after that time will not be considered for 
funding. No facsimile applications will be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Send applications to: Ellie Francisco Roche, Chief, State/
Federal Liaison Office, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive 
Center Drive, N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellie Roche; telephone (727) 570-5324.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority

    The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) is authorized under 15 U.S.C. 
713c-3(d) to carry out a national program of research and development 
addressed to such aspects of U.S. fisheries (including, but not limited 
to, harvesting, processing, marketing and to associated 
infrastructures), if not adequately covered by projects assisted under 
15 U.S.C. 713c-3(c), as the Secretary deems appropriate.

II. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    This program is described in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance'' (CFDA) under program number 11.433, Marine Fisheries 
Initiative (MARFIN).

III. Program Description

    MARFIN is a competitive Federal assistance program that funds 
projects that seek to optimize research and development benefits from 
U.S. marine fishery resources through cooperative efforts involving the 
best research and management talents to accomplish priority activities. 
Projects funded under MARFIN provide answers for fishery needs covered 
by the NMFS Strategic Plan, available from the Southeast Regional 
Office (see ADDRESSES), particularly those goals relating to: 
rebuilding overfished marine fisheries, maintaining currently 
productive fisheries, and integrating conservation of protected species 
and fisheries management. Areas of emphasis for MARFIN are formulated 
from recommendations received from non-Federal scientific and technical 
experts, and from NMFS research and operations officials.

IV. Funding Availability

    Approximately $2.20 million may be available in fiscal year (FY) 
2001 for funding projects. This amount includes possible in-house 
projects and $750,000 for 1-year projects for red snapper research. 
(See XI. Project Funding Priorities.) Publication of this notice does 
not obligate NMFS to award any specific cooperative agreement nor to 
obligate all or any parts of the available funds.
    Project proposals accepted for funding for a project period over 1 
year that include multiple project components and severable tasks to be 
funded during each budget period do not compete for funding in 
subsequent budget periods within the approved project period. However, 
funding for subsequent project components is contingent upon the 
availability of funds and satisfactory performance and will be at the 
sole discretion of the agency.

V. No Matching Requirements

    Cost-sharing is not required for the MARFIN program. Applications 
must provide the total budget necessary to accomplish the project, 
including contributions and/or donations. The appropriateness of all 
cost-sharing will be determined on the basis of guidance provided in 
applicable Federal cost principles. If an applicant chooses to cost-
share, and if that application is selected for funding, the applicant 
will be bound by the percentage of the cost share reflected in the 
cooperative agreement award.
    The non-Federal share may include the value of in-kind 
contributions by the applicant or third parties or funds received from 
private sources or from state or local governments. Federal funds may 
not be used to meet the non-Federal share of matching funds, except as 
provided by Federal statute. Third party in-kind contributions may be 
in the form of, but are not limited to, personal services rendered in 
carrying out functions related to the project and use of real or 
personal property owned by others (for which consideration is not 
required) in carrying out the projects. 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(c)(4)(B) 
provides that the amount of the grant is no less than 50

[[Page 11150]]

percent of the estimated cost of the project.
    Costs incurred in either the development of a project or the 
financial assistance application, or time expended in any subsequent 
discussions or negotiations prior to the award, are neither 
reimbursable nor recognizable as part of the recipient's cost share.

VI. Type of Funding Instrument

    The funding instrument will be a cooperative agreement since NMFS 
will be substantially involved in developing each project's research 
priorities and assisting in the research.

VII. Eligibility Criteria

    A. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, 
hospitals and other nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, 
and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or 
institutions are not eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under 
the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international 
organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the 
objective of the MARFIN program is to optimize research and development 
benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources (see III. Program 
Description).
    B. The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the 
participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic 
Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities in its 
educational and research programs. DOC/NOAA's goals are to achieve full 
participation by Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) in order to 
advance the development of human potential, to strengthen the nation's 
capacity to provide high-quality education, and to increase 
opportunities for MSIs to participate in and benefit from Federal 
financial assistance programs. DOC/NOAA encourages all applicants to 
include meaningful participation of MSIs.

VIII. Award Period

    The award period for the project may be up to 3 years, consisting 
of one, two, or three budget periods. The award period depends upon the 
duration of funding requested in the application, the decision of the 
NMFS selecting official on the amount of funding, the results of post-
selection negotiations between the applicant and NOAA officials, and 
pre-award review of the application by NOAA and Department of Commerce 
(DOC) officials. Normally, each project budget period will be 12 months 
in duration.

IX. Indirect Costs

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award or 25 percent of the Federal share 
of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, 
whichever is less. A copy of the current, approved, negotiated Indirect 
Cost Agreement with the Federal Government must be included with the 
application.

X. Application Requirements, Forms and Kit

    Before submitting an application under this program, applicants 
should contact the NMFS Southeast Regional Office for a copy of this 
solicitation's MARFIN Application Package (see ADDRESSES).
    Applications for this project's funding must be complete and in 
accordance with instructions in the MARFIN Application Package. Project 
applications must identify the principal participants, and include 
copies of any agreements describing the specific tasks to be performed 
by participants. Project applications should: give a clear presentation 
of the proposed work, the methods for carrying out the project, its 
relevance to managing and enhancing the use of Gulf of Mexico and/or 
South Atlantic fishery resources, and cost estimates as they relate to 
specific aspects of the project. Budgets must include a detailed 
breakdown, by category of expenditures, with appropriate justification 
for both the Federal and non-Federal shares.
    Applications should exhibit familiarity with related work that is 
completed or ongoing. Where appropriate, proposals should be multi-
disciplinary. In addition to referencing specific area(s) of special 
interest, proposals should state whether the research applies to the 
Gulf of Mexico only, the South Atlantic only, or to both areas. 
Successful applicants may be required to collect and manage data in 
accordance with standardized procedures and formats approved by NMFS 
and to participate with NMFS in specific cooperative activities that 
are determined by consultations between NMFS and successful applicants 
before project grants are awarded. All applications must include 
funding for the principal investigator to participate in an annual 
MARFIN Conference in Tampa, FL at the completion of the project.
    Coordinated efforts involving multiple institutions or persons are 
encouraged. Women and minority owned and operated non-profit 
organizations are encouraged to apply. Applicants should not assume 
prior knowledge on the part of NMFS as to the merits of the project 
described in the application. Applications must be one-sided and 
unbound. All incomplete applications are returned to the applicant. Ten 
copies (one original and nine copies) of each application are required 
and should be submitted to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office, State/
Federal Liaison Office (see). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
has approved 10 copies, under OMB Control No. 0648-0175.

XII. Project Funding Priorities

    A. Priority is given to funding projects that have the greatest 
probability of recovering, maintaining, improving, or developing 
fisheries; improving the understanding of factors affecting recruitment 
success; and/or generating increased values and recreational 
opportunities from fisheries. Projects are evaluated as to the 
likelihood of achieving these objectives, with consideration of the 
magnitude of the eventual economic or social benefits that may be 
realized. Priority is given to funding projects in the subject areas 
listed below, but proposals in other areas are considered on a funds-
available basis. There is no preference between short-term projects and 
long-term projects.

1. Bycatch

    The bycatch of biological organisms (including interactions with 
sea turtles and marine mammals) by various fishing gears can have wide-
reaching impacts from a fisheries management and an ecological 
standpoint, with the following major concerns:
    a. Shrimp trawl fisheries. Studies are needed to contribute to the 
regional shrimp trawl bycatch program (including the southern U.S. 
Atlantic rock shrimp fishery) being conducted by NMFS in cooperation 
with state fisheries management agencies, commercial and recreational 
fishing organizations and interests, environmental organizations, 
universities, Councils, and Commissions. Specific guidance and research 
requirements are contained in the Cooperative Bycatch Plan for the 
Southeast, available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). In particular, the 
studies should address:

[[Page 11151]]

    (1) Data collection and analyses to expand and update current 
bycatch estimates, temporally and spatially emphasizing areas of 
greatest impact by shrimping. Sampling effort should include estimates 
of numbers, weight, and random samples of size (age) structure of 
associated bycatch complex, with emphasis on those overfished species 
under the jurisdiction of the Councils. Data collection should also 
include mortality, age, and length information for red drum in both 
inshore and offshore shrimp fisheries.
    (2) Assessment of the status and condition of fish stocks 
significantly impacted by shrimp trawler bycatch, with emphasis given 
to overfished species under the jurisdiction of the Councils. Other 
sources of fishing and nonfishing mortality should be considered and 
quantified as well.
    (3) Identification, development, and evaluation of gear, non-gear, 
and tactical fishing options to reduce bycatch.
    (4) Improved methods for communicating with and improving 
technology and information transfer to the shrimp industry.
    (5) Development and evaluation of statistical methods to estimate 
the bycatch of priority management species in the Gulf and South 
Atlantic shrimp trawl fisheries.
    b. Pelagic longline fisheries. Several pelagic longline fisheries 
exist in the Gulf and South Atlantic, targeting highly migratory 
species, such as tunas, sharks, and swordfish. Priority areas include:
    (1) Development and evaluation of gear and fishing tactics to 
minimize bycatch of undersized and unwanted species, including sea 
turtles, marine mammals, billfish, and overfished finfish species/
stocks.
    (2) Assessment of the biological impact of longline bycatch on 
related fisheries.
    c. Reef fish fisheries. The reef fish complex is exploited by a 
variety of fishing gear and tactics. The following research on bycatch 
of reef fish species is needed:
    (1) Development and evaluation of gear and fishing tactics to 
minimize the bycatch of undersized and unwanted species, including sea 
turtles and marine mammals.
    (2) Characterization and assessment of the impact of bycatch of 
undersized target species, including release mortality, during 
recreational fishing and during commercial longline, bandit gear and 
trap fishing.
    (3) Determination of the release mortality by depth of red snapper 
caught on commercial bandit rigs that are electrically or hydraulicly 
powered.
    d. Finfish trawl fisheries. Studies are needed on quantification 
and qualification of the bycatch in finfish trawl fisheries, such as 
the flounder and fly-net fisheries in the South Atlantic.
    e. Gillnet fisheries. Studies are needed on quantification and 
qualification of the bycatch in coastal and shelf gillnet fisheries for 
sciaenids, scombrids, bluefish and other dogfish sharks of the South 
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (particularly interaction with sea turtles 
and marine mammals).
    f. Economic considerations of bycatch reduction.
    (1) Develop and test models, using actual or hypothesized data, 
that explicitly consider the economic impacts to the directed fishery 
and gains to the bycatch fishery. The models should include the effects 
of the management systems for the directed and bycatch fisheries and 
should attempt to describe criteria for the correct level of bycatch 
reduction (e.g., marginal cost and value of reduction are equal).
    (2) Develop economic incentives and other innovative alternatives 
to gear and season/area restrictions as ways to reduce bycatch. The 
proposal should attempt to contrast the relative costs, potential 
gains, and levels of bycatch reduction associated with traditional 
methods and any innovative alternatives addressed by the proposals.
    (3) Describe the costs and returns performance of South Atlantic 
and Gulf of Mexico shrimp fisheries as necessary background for the 
economics of bycatch reduction. (See Section XIII.A., regarding 
collection of information.)

2. Reef Fish

    Some species within the reef fish complex are exhibiting signs of 
being overfished, either because of directed efforts or because of 
being the bycatch of other fisheries. The ecology of reef fish makes 
them vulnerable to overfishing, because they tend to concentrate over 
specific types of habitat with patchy distribution. This behavior 
pattern can make traditional fishery statistics misleading. Priority 
research areas include:
    a. Collection of Basic Biological Data for Species in Commercially 
and Recreationally Important Fisheries
    (1) Age and growth of reef fish. (a) Description of age and growth 
patterns, especially for red, vermilion, gray, and cubera snappers; 
gray triggerfish; gag; black grouper; hogfish; red porgy; and other 
less dominant forms in the management units for which data are lacking.
    (b) Contributions to the development of annual age-length keys and 
description of age structures for exploited populations for all species 
in the complex addressed in the Reef Fish and Snapper/Grouper 
Management Plans for the Gulf and South Atlantic, respectively, 
prioritized by importance in the total catch.
    (c) Design of sampling systems to provide a production-style aging 
program for the reef fish fishery. Effective dockside sampling programs 
are needed over a wide geographic range, especially for groupers, to 
collect information on reproductive state, size, age, and sex.
    (2) Reproduction studies of reef fish. (a) Maturity schedules, 
fecundity, and sex ratios of commercially and recreationally important 
reef fish, especially gray triggerfish, gag, and red porgy in the Gulf 
and South Atlantic.
    (b) Studies of all species to characterize the actual reproductive 
contribution of females by age.
    (c) Identification and characterization of spawning aggregations by 
species, area, size group and season.
    (d) Effects of fishing on changes of sex ratios for gag, red 
grouper, and scamp, and disruption of aggregations.
    (e) Investigations of the reproductive biology of gag, red grouper 
and other grouper species.
    (3) Recruitment of reef fish. (a) Source of recruitment in Gulf and 
South Atlantic waters, especially for snappers, groupers, and 
amberjacks.
    (b) Annual estimation of the absolute or relative recruitment of 
juvenile gag, gray snapper, and lane snapper to estuarine habitats off 
the west coast of Florida and to similar estuarine nursery habitats 
along the South Atlantic Bight; development of an index of juvenile gag 
recruitment for the South Atlantic based on historical databases and/or 
field studies.
    (c) The contribution of live-bottom habitat and habitat areas of 
particular concern (Oculina banks) off Fort Pierce, FL and off west 
central Florida to reef fish recruitment.
    (4) Stock structure of reef fish. (a) Movement and migration 
patterns of commercially and recreationally valuable reef fish species, 
especially gag in the Gulf and South Atlantic and greater amberjack 
between the South Atlantic and Gulf.
    (b) Biochemical/immunological and morphological/meristic techniques 
to allow field separation of lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded 
rudderfish from greater amberjack to facilitate accurate reporting of 
catch.
    (c) Stock structure of wreckfish in the South Atlantic and of 
greater amberjack in the Gulf and South Atlantic.

[[Page 11152]]

    b. Population assessment of reef fish. (1) Effect of reproductive 
mode and sex change (protogynous hermaphroditism) on population size 
and characteristics, with reference to sizes of fish exploited in the 
fisheries and the significance to proper management.
    (2) Source and quantification of natural and human-induced 
mortalities, including release mortality estimates for charter boats, 
headboats, and private recreational vessels, especially for red snapper 
and the grouper complex.
    (3) Determination of the habitat and limiting factors for important 
reef fish resources in the Gulf and South Atlantic.
    (4) Description of habitat and fish populations in the deep reef 
community and the prey distributions supporting the community.
    (5) Development of statistically valid indices of abundance for 
important reef fish species in the South Atlantic and Gulf, especially 
red grouper, jewfish, and Nassau grouper.
    (6) Assessment of tag performance on reef fish species, primarily 
snappers and groupers. Characteristics examined should include shedding 
rate, effects on growth and survival, and ultimately, the effects of 
these characteristics on estimations of vital population parameters.
    (7) Stock assessments to establish the status of major recreational 
and commercial species. Innovative methods are needed for stock 
assessments of aggregate species, including the effect of fishing on 
genetic structure and the incorporation of sex change for protogynous 
hermaphrodites into stock assessment models.
    (8) Assessment of Florida Bay recovery actions on reef fish 
recruitment and survival.
    c. Management of reef fish. (1) Research in direct support of 
management, including catch-and-release mortalities, by gear and depth.
    (2) Evaluation of the use of marine reserves as an alternative or 
supplement to current fishery management practices and measures for 
reef fish. Studies should focus on the Experimental Oculina Reef 
Reserve, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, as well as on the 
identification of prime sites for the establishment of reserves in the 
U.S. south Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
    (3) Characterization and evaluation of biological impacts (e.g., 
changes in age or size structure of reef fish populations in response 
to management strategies).
    (4) Evaluation of vessel log data for monitoring the fishery and 
for providing biological, economic, and social information for 
management; and methods for matching log data to Trip Information 
Program samples for indices of effort.
    (5) For the U.S. Caribbean, collection of socio-demographic and 
economic cost and returns data sufficient to evaluate management 
proposals to limit the use of fish and/or lobster traps.

3. Red Snapper Research

    The Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 required the Secretary of 
Commerce to conduct a thorough and independent evaluation of the 
scientific and management basis for conserving and managing the red 
snapper fishery. NMFS has developed a research plan to improve the 
management of red snapper to address this requirement. The research 
priorities below are based on this research plan.
    a. Red Snapper Bycatch. The bycatch of red snapper can have 
significant impacts from a fisheries management and ecological 
standpoint. Research on bycatch of red snapper should focus on the 
following:
    (1) Shrimp trawl bycatch of red snapper. Specific guidance and 
research requirements are contained in the Cooperative Bycatch Plan for 
the Southeast, available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). Studies are needed 
to address:
    (a) Identification, development, and evaluation of gear, non-gear, 
and tactical fishing options to reduce bycatch of red snapper.
    (b) Development and evaluation of statistical methods to estimate 
the bycatch mortality of red snapper in the Gulf shrimp trawl 
fisheries.
    (c) Studies of the survival rates of juvenile red snapper that 
escape shrimp trawls through bycatch reduction devices (BRDs).
    (2) Directed red snapper fisheries. The reef fish fishery is 
exploited by a variety of fishing gear and tactics. The following 
research on regulatory discards is needed to better evaluate the 
effectiveness of management measures such as minimum size limits and 
closed seasons:
    (a) Development and evaluation of gear and fishing tactics to 
minimize the bycatch of or increase the survival of discarded red 
snapper and other reef fish species.
    (b) Characterization and assessment of the impact of bycatch of 
undersized reef fish species, including release mortality, during 
recreational and commercial fishing. Research on the catch-and-release 
mortality of red snapper and other reef fish species, by gear (e.g. 
capture by commercial bandit rigs that are electrically or hydraulicly 
powered), fishery (e.g. headboat, private boat, charter boat, 
commercial), and depth. Studies are needed to specifically relate 
``sink or swim'' data, which can be obtained through observer programs, 
with long-term survival rates.
    (c) Research to document predation rates on discarded red snapper 
and other reef fish species.
    (3) Economic considerations of bycatch reduction
    (a) Develop and test models, using actual or hypothesized data, 
that explicitly consider the costs and gains of bycatch reduction. The 
models should include the effects of the management systems for the 
directed and bycatch fisheries and should attempt to describe criteria 
for the correct level of bycatch reduction (e.g., marginal cost and 
value of reduction are equal). Studies should evaluate alternatives to 
bycatch reduction devices (BRDs).
    (b) Develop economic incentives and other innovative alternatives 
to gear and season/area restrictions as ways to reduce bycatch. The 
proposal should attempt to contrast the relative costs, potential 
gains, and levels of bycatch reduction associated with traditional 
methods and any innovative alternatives addressed by the proposals.
    b. Red snapper biological information. Collection of basic 
biological data on red snapper.
    (1) Contributions to the development of annual age-length keys and 
description of the age structure of red snapper populations.
    (2) Design of sampling systems to provide a production-style aging 
program for the red snapper fishery. Effective dockside sampling 
programs are needed over a wide geographic range to collect information 
on reproductive state, size, age, and sex.
    (3) Reproduction studies of red snapper.
    (a) Maturity schedules, fecundity, and sex ratios of red snapper.
    (b) Studies to characterize the actual reproductive contribution of 
females by age.
    (4) Identification of sources of recruitment of red snapper in Gulf 
waters.
    c. Red snapper population assessment. (1) Determination of the 
habitat and limiting factors for important red snapper populations in 
the Gulf.
    (2) Estimates of red snapper abundance, age structure and 
population dynamics on oil platforms and other artificial structures.
    d. Management of red snapper. (1) Characterization and evaluation 
of biological impacts (e.g., changes in age or size structure of red 
snapper

[[Page 11153]]

populations in response to management strategies).
    (2) Research to evaluate the use of minimum size limits as a 
management tool in the red snapper fishery.
    (3) Texas does not participate in the Marine Recreational Fisheries 
Statistics Survey (MRFSS); thus, research is needed to collect 
economics data on Texas anglers. Data requirements include those 
identified in the MRFSS add-on economic survey developed by NMFS. (See 
Section XIIII.A., regarding collection of information.)
    (4) Research to develop bioeconomic models to optimize allocations 
and benefits derived from the red snapper resource.

4. Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fisheries

    The commercial and recreational demand for migratory coastal 
pelagics has led to overfishing for certain. Additionally, some are 
transboundary with Mexico and other countries and may ultimately demand 
international management attention. Current high priorities include:
    a. Recruitment indices for king and Spanish mackerel, cobia, 
dolphin, wahoo, and bluefish, primarily from fishery-independent data 
sources.
    b. Fishery-independent methods of assessing stock abundance of king 
and Spanish mackerel.
    c. Release mortality data for all coastal pelagic species.
    d. Improved catch statistics for all species in Mexican waters, 
with special emphasis on king mackerel, dolphin, and wahoo. This 
includes length-frequency and life history information.
    e. Information on populations of coastal pelagics overwintering off 
the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic States of North Carolina, 
South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, especially concerning population 
size, age and movement patterns. Calculate the mixing rates for 
Atlantic/Gulf king mackerel on an annual basis.
    f. Development of a practical method for aging dolphin.
    g. Basic biostatistics for cobia, dolphin, and wahoo to develop 
age-length keys and maturation schedules for stock assessments and to 
evaluate stock structures.
    h. Impact of bag limits on total catch and landings of king and 
Spanish mackerel, dolphin, wahoo, and cobia.
    i. Demand and/or supply functions for the commercial king mackerel 
fisheries, including baseline cost and return data. Cooperative efforts 
that cover the entire Southeast and employ common methodologies for all 
geographic areas are strongly encouraged.
    j. Sociological and anthropological surveys of coastal pelagic 
fisheries.

5. Groundfish and Estuarine Fishes

    Substantial stocks of groundfish and estuarine species occur in the 
Gulf and South Atlantic. Most of the database for assessments comes 
from studies conducted by NMFS and state fishery management agencies. 
Because of the historic and current size of these fish stocks, their 
importance as predator and prey species, and their current or potential 
use as commercial and recreational fisheries, more information on their 
biology and life history is needed. General research needs are:
    a. Red drum. (1) Size and age structure of the offshore adult stock 
in the Gulf and South Atlantic.
    (2) Life history parameters and stock structure for the Gulf and 
the South Atlantic: Migratory patterns, long-term changes in abundance, 
growth rates, and age structure. Specific research needs for Atlantic 
red drum are estimates of fecundity as a function of length and weight 
and improved coast-wide coverage for age-length keys.
    (3) Catch-and-release mortality rates from inshore and nearshore 
waters.
    (4) Estimates of absolute Gulf-wide abundance of red drum.
    b. Life history and stock structure for weakfish, menhaden, spot, 
and croaker in the Gulf and the South Atlantic: Migratory patterns, 
long-term changes in abundance, growth rates, and age structure and 
comparisons of the inshore and offshore components of recreational and 
commercial fisheries.
    c. Improved catch-and-effort statistics from recreational and 
commercial fisheries, including development of age-length keys for size 
and age structure of the catch, to develop production models. (See 
Section XIII.A., regarding collection of information.)
    d. Abundance and distribution information on spiny dogfish off the 
coast of North Carolina, and particularly southern North Carolina.

6. Essential Fish Habitat

    (a) Determine the effects of fishing gears (e.g., trawls and traps) 
and practices (e.g., gear retrieval and anchoring) on essential fish 
habitat (EFH), with emphasis on benthic habitats within the EEZ of the 
Caribbean, southern U.S. Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico regions.
    (b) Develop scientific data to allow the identification and 
refinement, as appropriate, of EFH designations for the various life 
stages of federally managed species.
    (c) Develop scientific data to allow the identification and 
refinement, as appropriate, of Habitat Areas of Particular Concern 
(HAPC) designation for the various life stages of federally managed 
species.
    (d) Develop GIS mapping protocols and tools to allow the 
presentation of EFH, HAPC, fishery distribution information, and other 
relevant data for the southeastern United States, including Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

7. General

    There are many other areas of research that need to be addressed 
for improved understanding and management of fishery resources. These 
include methods for data collection, management, analysis, and better 
conservation. Examples of such research needs include:
    a. Identification of fishing communities, characterization of 
community dependance upon fishery resources and demographics of the 
families dependent on fishing or fishing related businesses.
    b. Development of improved methods and procedures for transferring 
technology and educating constituency groups concerning fishery 
management and conservation programs. Of special importance are 
programs concerned with controlled access and introduction of 
conservation gear.
    c. Design and evaluation of innovative approaches to fishery 
management with special attention given to those approaches that 
control access to specific fisheries.
    d. Examine the feasibility and efficacy of license buy-back 
programs.
    e. Social, cultural, and /or economic aspects of establishing 
fishery reserves. Studies should employ accepted data collection 
methods and should include consumptive users, non-consumptive users, 
and persons not dependent on use of marine resources. Various 
management alternatives should be considered in the studies, e.g., 
exclude all users, exclude all consumptive users, size of reserve, 
anchoring rules, or any other relevant management tools. (See Section 
XIII.A., regarding collection of information.)
    f. Design and evaluation of limited access options for the red 
snapper and king mackerel recreational fisheries with specific emphasis 
on modes of fishing and jurisdictional issues.
    g. Estimation of demand models for recreational fishing trips when 
the target species include a single species, an aggregate of related 
species, or all species combined. Studies using new data from the 
Southeast economics add-on to Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics 
Survey are highly encouraged.

[[Page 11154]]

 Priority species include red drum Spanish mackerel, red grouper, 
wahoo,and dolphin.
    h. Sociocultural survey of commercial fishing in the Florida Keys. 
Proposals should address all fishing enterprises including potential 
sociocultural effects of large marine reserves in the Tortugas area.
    i. Studies to evaluate the value of non-consumptive uses of marine 
resources, especially as related to diving activities and marine 
reserves.

XIII. Evaluation Process and Criteria

    A. Initial Screening of Applications. Applications are reviewed by 
NOAA's MARFIN Program Manager to determine whether they are responsive 
to this solicitation. Applications must: be received by the deadline 
date (see DATES); include OMB form 424 dated and signed by an 
authorized representative; be submitted by an eligible applicant; 
address one of the funding priorities; include a budget, statement of 
work, and milestones; and identify the principal investigator. The 
applicant will be notified if the application does not conform to these 
requirements. If the deadline for submission has passed, the 
application will be returned to the applicant.
    B. Evaluation of Proposed Projects.
    1. Technical Evaluation. Applications responsive to this 
solicitation will be evaluated by three or more appropriate private and 
public sector experts to determine their technical merit. These 
reviewers provide comments and assign scores to the applications based 
on the following criteria, with the weights shown in parentheses:
    a. Does the proposal have a clearly stated goal(s) with associated 
objectives that meet the needs outlined in the project narrative? (30 
points maximum)
    b. Does the proposal clearly identify and describe, in the project 
outline and statement of work, scientific methodologies and analytical 
procedures that will adequately address project goals and objectives? 
(30 points maximum)
    c. Do the principal investigators provide a realistic timetable to 
enable full accomplishment of all aspects of the research? (20 points 
maximum)
    d. Are effective methods proposed that will enable the principal 
investigators to maintain stewardship of the project performance, 
finances, cooperative relationships, and reporting requirements? (10 
points maximum)
    e. Does the budget appropriately allocate and justify costs? (10 
points maximum)
    5. Are the proposed costs appropriate for the scope of work 
proposed? (10 points)
    2. Scientific Panel. Applications together with the technical 
reviewers' comments and scores are presented to a Scientific Panel 
composed of NMFS scientific experts. This panel provides comments and 
rates each proposal as either ``Recommended for Funding'' or ``Not 
Recommended for Funding'' based on qualitative assessments which 
include a technical evaluation of the merits of the science.
    3. MARFIN Panel. Proposals that are ``Recommended for Funding'' by 
the Scientific Panel are presented to a panel of non-NOAA fishery 
experts known as the MARFIN Panel. Each member of the MARFIN Panel 
individually considers the significance of the needs addressed in each 
proposal, how the project affects industry, and how the project 
addresses issues that are of highest importance in regional fisheries 
management. The individuals on the MARFIN Panel provide comments and 
rate each of these proposals as either ``Recommended for Funding'' or 
``Not Recommended for Funding.''
    4. Regional Administrator. The proposals reviewed by the MARFIN 
Panel are ranked by the Program Manager in the order of preferred 
funding, based on the number of MARFIN Panel members recommending the 
proposal for funding, then provided to the Regional Administrator, who 
is the selecting official. The Regional Administrator also receives the 
MARFIN Panel members' individual comments, and comments from the 
Scientific Panel for projects rated as ``Recommended for Funding.''
    The Regional Administrator, in consultation with the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries, determines the projects to be funded. The 
Regional Administrator will justify in writing any selection he makes 
that falls outside the MARFIN Panel's order of preferred funding.
    The exact amount of funds awarded, the final scope of activities, 
the project duration, and specific NMFS cooperative involvement with 
the activities of each project are determined in pre-award negotiations 
between the applicant, the NOAA Grants Office and the NMFS Program 
Office. Projects must not be initiated by recipients until a signed 
award is received from the NOAA Grants Office. Successful applications 
generally are recommended within 210 days from the date of publication 
of this notice. The earliest start date of awards average 90 days after 
each project is selected and after all NMFS/applicant negotiations of 
cooperative activities have been completed. The earliest start date of 
awards is about 300 days after the date of publication of this notice. 
Applicants should consider this selection and processing time in 
developing requested start dates for their applications.
    C. NMFS can, at its discretion:
    1. Consult with members of the fishing industry, management 
agencies, environmental organizations, and academic institutions. NMFS 
may, at its discretion, request comments from members of the fishing 
and associated industries, groups, organizations, and institutions who 
have knowledge in the subject matter of a project or who would be 
affected by a project.
    2. Consult with Government agencies. Applications may be reviewed 
by the NMFS Southeast Region Program Office in consultation with the 
NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center, including appropriate 
operations and laboratory personnel, the NOAA Grants Office and, as 
appropriate, DOC bureaus and other Federal agencies.

XIII. Other Requirements

    A. Federal policies and procedures. Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and DOC policies, 
regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance 
awards. Women and minority individuals and groups are encouraged to 
submit applications under this program. If a grant is made that 
specifically requires the collection of information from the public, 
the grantee will be responsible for preparing the documentation 
necessary to obtain Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) approval prior to the 
start of the collection. This approval process takes a minimum of 4 
months. This provision especially applies to priorities 1(f)(3), 
3(d)(3), 5(c), and 7(e). Information on the PRA process can be found at 
the following Web site address: www.rdc.noaa.gov/pra.
    B. Past performance. Any first-time applicant for Federal grant 
funds is subject to a pre-award accounting survey prior to execution of 
the award. Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may 
result in an application not being considered for funding.
    C. Pre-award activities. If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written 
assurance that they may have received, there is no obligation on the 
part of DOC to cover pre-award costs.

[[Page 11155]]

    D. No obligation of future funding. If an application is selected 
for funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase 
funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion 
of DOC.
    E. Delinquent Federal debts. No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant or to its subrecipients who have any outstanding 
delinquent Federal debt or fine until either:
    1. The delinquent account is paid in full;
    2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received; or
    3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.
    F. Name check review. All non-profit and for-profit applicants are 
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to 
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been 
convicted of, or are presently facing, criminal charges such as fraud, 
theft, perjury, or other matters that significantly reflect on the 
applicant's management honesty or financial integrity. Potential non-
profit and for-profit recipients may also be subject to reviews of Dun 
and Bradstreet data or other similar credit checks.
    G. Primary applicant certifications. All primary applicants must 
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby 
provided:
    1. Nonprocurement debarment and suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR 26.105) are subject to 15 CFR part 
26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    2. Drug-free workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR 26.605) are 
subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Government-wide Requirements 
for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the 
certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR 28.105) are subject 
to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of 
appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and 
financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of the certification 
form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for grants, 
cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000; and
    4. Anti-lobbying disclosures. Any applicant who has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit a Form SL-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 
28, appendix B.
    H. Lower tier certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier 
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if 
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier 
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to DOC. A form SF-LLL 
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to 
DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award 
document.
    I. False statements. A false statement on the application is 
grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible 
punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    J. Intergovernmental review. Applications under this program are 
subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs.''
    K. Requirement to buy American-made equipment and products. 
Applicants are hereby notified that they are encouraged, to the extent 
feasible, to purchase American-made equipment and products with funding 
provided under this program.

Classification

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this 
notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.
    Cooperative agreements awarded pursuant to pertinent statutes shall 
be in accordance with the Fisheries Research Plan (comprehensive 
program of fisheries research) in effect on the date of the award.
    Federal participation under the MARFIN Program may include the 
assignment of DOC scientific personnel and equipment.
    Reasonable, negotiated financial compensation will be provided 
under awards for the work of eligible grantee workers.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB control number. This notice contains 
collection-of-information requirements subject to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act which have been approved under OMB control number 0648-
0175. Public reporting burden for agency-specific collection-of-
information elements, exclusive of requirements specified under 
applicable OMB circulars, is estimated to average 4 hours per response, 
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. This includes a requirement to 
submit up to 10 copies of applications. Send comments regarding this 
reporting burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of 
information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS 
(see ADDRESSES).

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).

    Dated: February 15, 2001.
William T. Hogarth,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4417 Filed 2-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S