February 27, 2014 — The following was released by NOAA:
The mission of the BREP is to develop technological solutions and investigate changes in fishing practices designed to minimize bycatch of fish (including sponges and deep sea and shallow, tropical corals) and protected species (including marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles) as well as minimize bycatch injury and mortality (including post-release injury and mortality).
2014 Call for Proposals
As of February 25, 2014, NOAA Fisheries' Office of Sustainable Fisheries is now accepting applications for the BREP. Approximately $2.5 million could be made available for projects that address bycatch research as identified below:
– Developing innovative and effective technologies, gear modifications, and/or improved fishing practices in commercial and recreational fisheries to reduce bycatch impacts. Proposals that specifically reduce impacts to protected species, highly migratory species, or fish stocks that are overfished or experiencing overfishing are particularly encouraged.
– Reducing post-release mortality, including barotrauma and predation, in commercial and recreational fisheries including target and non-target species.
– Determining the degree and nature of interactions, and developing techniques to reduce interactions, between fishing gears and corals, sponges, and other structure-forming invertebrates.
Pre-proposals are due by March 21 with full applications due by April 30, 2014.
For more information, download the call for proposals or contact Derek Orner, National Bycatch Coordinator.