Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program

To maintain a cooperative State and Federal partnership to provide a continuing source of fisheries dependent statistics to support fishery management in the States' Territorial Sea and the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.

To maintain a cooperative program which engages State and Federal agencies in the coordinated collection, management, and dissemination of fishery - independent information on marine fisheries in support of State Territorial Sea and U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone fisheries management programs.

Eligible applicants are the Marine Fishery Conservation agencies of the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fishery Commissions.

This program benefits Federal, State and interstate marine resource conservation and management agencies; U.S. and foreign commercial and recreational fishing industries; conservation organizations; academic institutions; international and Indian Tribal treaties; private and public research groups; consumers; and the general public.

Funding through cooperative agreements involve regional member organizations in fishery - independent sampling projects. Projects are restricted to fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic and U.S. Caribbean. Cooperators are State and territorial governments, Interstate Marine Fishery Commissions.

Awards are normally for a 12-month period but in some instances, award periods may extend beyond 12 months, or may be completed in less than 12 months. Award funds must be spent in the indicated budget period and are to be expended in accordance with DOC/NOAA finance and reporting procedures.

The standard application forms as furnished by the agency. This program is covered under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Proposals are selected based on the results of SEAMAP committee activities and on negotiations between NMFS and cooperators. The nature and scope of cooperative activities are based on the needs of the cooperating agencies. Funding is allocated by NMFS based on SEAMAP committee recommendations and on the level of activities that are planned for accomplishment. Regardless of source, proposals must undergo rigorous technical review and comply with all OMB, DOC, and NOAA grants policies and procedures.

In FY 2003, the SEAMAP program changed to multi-year grants. Funding continues to be awarded annually, however, grant recipients submit three year proposals, that are reviewed and evaluated by the pertinent NMFS Office/Region/Science Center, and are subject to review for technical merit, soundness of design, competency of the applicant to perform the proposed work, potential contribution of the project to national or regional goals, and appropriateness and reasonableness of proposed costs. Projects approved for funding will be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division and the Department of Commerce's Office of Federal Assistance for review and approval. Subsequent years of the grant do not require proposals. All requirements for funding are worked by the Program Officer. Recipients receive notification when funding has been approved for the current fiscal year.

A date range will change depending on the review process. Usually within 180 calendar days from the receipt of a complete and acceptable application but may exceed that timeline.

No renewal. However, an approved on-going project can be extended by submission of an amendment request. Multiple year awards of up to five years may be approved. Funding for multi-year projects beyond the first year is contingent upon the availability of program funds in subsequent fiscal years, and the extent to which the recipient meets project objectives and reporting requirements.

No formal appeal procedure. If application is unacceptable the reasons are fully stated to the applicant. If the applicant desires to resubmit application, project must be revised in accordance with recommended changes.