May 3, 2022 — NOAA Fisheries has recommended more than $11.8 million for 44 projects under the 2022 Saltonstall-Kennedy Competitive Grants Program. The projects fall into two categories:
- Promotion, development, and marketing and science
- Technology that promotes sustainable U.S seafood production and harvesting
For more than 40 years, NOAA has awarded grant funding for projects under the Saltonstall-Kennedy program to individuals, institutions, organizations, tribes and businesses across the country. These funds help address the needs of fishing communities, support economic opportunities, and build and maintain resilient and sustainable fisheries.
The goal of the Saltonstall-Kennedy program is to fund projects that:
- Address the needs of fishing communities at all scales (local, regional, national)
- Optimize economic benefits by building and maintaining sustainable fisheries
- Increase other opportunities to keep working waterfronts viable
These 44 proposals represent the top projects best positioned to meet this goal.
Demand for funding was high again this year. Initially, NOAA received 270 pre-proposals. Out of that number, at least three subject matter experts reviewed 137 full proposals requesting more than $38 million during the technical merit review phase. The top proposals in each NOAA Fisheries’ region were recommended for 2022 funding.
At this point in the selection process, the application approval and recommended funding is not final. Divisions of NOAA and the Department of Commerce, NOAA’s parent agency, must still give final approval before successful applicants receive funding.