Black abalone reproduction investigation: facilitating critical habitat exemption at SAN clemente island for enhanced fleet readiness and unburdened testing and training
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- N62473-25-2-0004
- Agency
-
Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Department of the Navy, Department of Defense
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $367,721
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
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- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Navy Naval Facilities Engineering Command is seeking a cooperative agreement to conduct research on black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) reproductive biology at San Clemente Island. The primary objectives include investigating reproductive factors such as larval dispersal, survival, and recruitment dynamics using red abalone as surrogates. Key personnel requirements specify a Principal Investigator with a PhD in Animal Science/Reproductive Biology and at least 10 years of marine invertebrate reproduction experience, along with a Postdoctoral Researcher holding a PhD in aquaculture or marine biology. The research aims to support the San Clemente Island Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan and comply with the Endangered Species Act, with the ultimate goal of potentially downlisting or delisting the black abalone species. Applications are due by August 4, 2025, with an anticipated start date of August 31, 2025, and will be evaluated based on the proposed research methodology, personnel qualifications, and potential impact on black abalone conservation.
The federal grant opportunity is funded under CFDA 12.005 (Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources on Military Installations) with a total award value of $367,721. The cooperative agreement includes a base period of 18 months with three potential 18-month option periods, allowing for comprehensive long-term research. The place of performance will be San Clemente Island, where the Navy currently manages the endangered black abalone population. Eligible applicants are limited to Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit California cooperative partners, and the research will focus on non-invasive techniques such as ultrasound evaluation of gonad development and establishing methods for black abalone spawning and larval culture.
Synopsis
Research to understand black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) reproductive biology (using red abalone [Haliotis rufescens] as surrogates or conspecifics) is necessary to remain in compliance with the San Clemente Island (SCI) Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP), and also provide a benefit to black abalone species as required under section 4(a)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 35). The SCI INRMP's main objective for black abalone is to "continue to monitor and support the recovery of the black abalone population in suitable rocky intertidal habitat to increase the population at SCI," which specifically calls for efforts to "investigate factors affecting larval dispersal distances, survival, and recruitment dynamics" for black abalone. Federally endangered black abalone are currently present on SCI and managed under the SCI INRMP. SCI received a critical habitat exclusion for black abalone based on the determination that the Navy's SCI INRMP provides several benefits to black abalone and that thorough management efforts are included in the INRMP and implemented on the island. Continued critical habitat exclusion is crucial to support the Navy's mission on SCI. Thus, it is imperative that reproductive biology of black abalone is investigated to inform potential future translocation, outplanting, and captive breeding efforts for the species, with goals of eventual downlisting or delisting of the species at SCI and throughout its range.
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