The gulf states marine fisheries commission (gsmfc) proposes to establish a regional rapid response fund (rrrf) to address the threats posed by aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the gulf of mexico and…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $400,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Fish and Aquatic Conservation - Aquatic Invasive Species (CFDA 15.608) federal grant program to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC). The funding will establish a Regional Rapid Response Fund (RRRF) to address threats posed by aquatic invasive species in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic region. The RRRF will implement regional rapid response mechanisms, with GSMFC serving as the fiscal agent to manage the funds and support selected on-the-ground response projects. This initiative aims to advance regional coordination and preparedness in line with the goals of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force's model process for a rapid response fund. The award period is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

The gulf states marine fisheries commission (gsmfc) proposes to establish a regional rapid response fund (rrrf) to address the threats posed by aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the gulf of mexico and south atlantic region encompassed by representatives of the gulf and south atlantic regional panel (gsarp) on aquatic invasive species (https: WWW.gsarp.ORG ). Proposals submitted to this gsmfc-led initiative will be evaluated by an ad hoc committee of gsarp and in correspondence with representation from the aquatic nuisance species task force (anstf). This initiative aims to implement regional rapid response mechanisms at an estimated cost of $400,000. Established by the nonindigenous aquatic nuisance prevention and control act (nanpca) of 1990, the anstf has the responsibility to protect the waters of the united states and has created a unified network that raises awareness and acts to prevent and manage AIS. Nanpca also authorized the anstf to establish regional panels to identify regional priorities, coordinate regional efforts, report to and make recommendationsto the anstf, and develop an emergency response strategy for stemming new invasions of AIS in the region. This project will create greater efficiencies by establishing a process to review and select projects that are associated with planning, delineation, or deployment of response measures targeting species in the gsarp region. Deliverables include providing a fiscal agent to manage funds, implementing the rrrf to support selected projects, and providing recommendations for process refinement.subrecipients will be identified during the pilot phase to execute on-the-ground response activities. This effort supports the goals of the anstf-approved model process for a rapid response fund by advancing regional coordination and preparedness.