This award will support functions of the national fish and wildlife foundation (nfwf) for the development of an electronic monitoring and reporting program with multiple funding partners

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $14,000,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Unallied Science Program (CFDA 11.472) to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to develop an electronic monitoring and reporting program for U.S. marine fisheries. The grant aims to partner with fisheries managers, industry, NGOs, and other stakeholders to establish regional electronic monitoring and reporting systems. Through sub-awards, the program will enhance electronic data collection capabilities, modernize data management systems, and leverage artificial intelligence for automated video analysis to improve catch reporting and fisheries management. Key sub-recipients include the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, University of Miami Rosenstiel Marine, and several private technology companies. Overall, this Cooperative Agreement supports NOAA's goals of promoting sustainable fisheries through improved monitoring and data integration.

Nfwf preserves and restores the nation's native wildlife species and habitats by directing public conservation funds to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private funds. The foundation's method is to work with a full complement of individuals, foundations, government agencies, nonprofits, and corporations to identify and fund the nation's most intractable conservation challenges. Specifically, this program will develop a 2022 grant program to assist fisheries managers, industry, ngos, and other stakeholders in the nation's marine fisheries with the development and implementation of regional electronic monitoring and reporting programs. This program will advance the nation's sustainable fisheries goals to partner with fishermen and other stakeholders to systemat