Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act

To provide assistance to eligible States and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in order to support and encourage the development, implementation, and enforcement of effective interstate conservation and management of Atlantic Coastal re

To provide assistance to eligible States and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in order to support and encourage the development, implementation, and enforcement of effective interstate conservation and management of Atlantic Coastal resources. Activities conducted under projects will be used to collect information necessary for the preparation, implementation and enforcement of coastal fisheries management plans and State activities required within such plans. Primary users of the information would be the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the Atlantic Coast States, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Eligible applicants for assistance are the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the Atlantic Coast State governments which are Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, and the District of Columbia.

This program benefits State, and interstate marine resource conservation agencies, the marine fishing industries and the general public.

Funds are restricted to "coastal fishery resources" which means any fishery, any species of fish, or any stock of fish that moves among, or is broadly distributed across, waters under the jurisdiction of two or more Atlantic Coastal States or waters under the jurisdiction of one or more Atlantic Coastal States and the exclusive economic zone. Funds can be provided to the Commission and to the specified States for the preparation, implementation and enforcement of coastal fishery management plans and State activities required within such plans. Funds can also be used for program activities to support and enhance State cooperation in collection, management and analysis of fishery data; law enforcement; habitat conservation; fishery research including biological and socioeconomic research; and fishery management planning.

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 is expended in accordance with DOC/NOAA finance and reporting procedures.

Criteria for proposals is located in the NOFO. Refer to program guidelines

Proposals are solicited from eligible coastal States and other eligible applicants by notification from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast and Southeast Regional Offices. Proposals must undergo rigorous technical review and comply with all OMB, DOC, and NOAA grants policies and procedures.

Proposals are initially 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 recommended for funding will be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division for review and approval.

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.