Project Grant NA23NMF4270276

This $899,433 Project Grant awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Fisheries Development and Utilization Research and Development Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (CFDA 11.427) supports an oyster aquaculture feasibility study for native mangrove oyster (Crassostrea rhizophorae) and native Atlantic pearl oyster (Pinctada imbricata) mariculture in Culebra, Puerto Rico. The project, led by the non-profit organization Mujeres De Islas, Inc., aims to establish community-based mariculture operations to increase food security, livelihood diversification, and economic resiliency of the Puerto Rican artisanal fishery. The study will address knowledge gaps in four key areas: oyster spat collection, oyster grow-out, market analysis, and fisher engagement. The findings will inform best farm management practices, future hatchery techniques, market outlets and sales channels, community governance arrangements, and a regulatory roadmap for sustainable aquaculture in the region. Additionally, Mujeres De Islas, Inc. has received other federal grants, including an $81,776 award from the Corporation for National and Community Service for food security and capacity-building initiatives, and a $214,000 cooperative agreement from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to implement demonstrative conservation practices in Culebra.