2017 BREP FFO

The mission of the National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) is to develop technological solutions and investigate changes in fishing practices designed to minimize bycatch of fish (including sponges, deep-sea corals, and shallow (tropical) corals) and protected species (including marine mammals, sturgeon, seabirds, and sea turtles) as well as minimize mortality and injury of bycaught species (including post-release injury and mortality). Projects should produce outcomes that can directly influence management needs of federally managed living marine resources. For FY2017, NMFS anticipates that approximately $2,500,000 could be made available for projects that address bycatch research as identified in the Program Priority Section (I.B.1 - I.B.4).