[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18232]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 940682-4182; I.D. 050694M]
RIN 0648-ZAO8

 

Financial Assistance for Research and Development Projects to 
Provide Information for the Full and Wise Use and Enhancement of 
Fishery Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and off the U.S. South Atlantic 
Coastal States (MARFIN)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Subject to the availability of funds, NMFS issues this notice 
describing funding to assist persons in carrying out research and 
development projects that optimize the use of U.S. Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic (North Carolina to Florida) fisheries involving the U.S. 
fishing industry (recreational and commercial), including fishery 
biology, resource assessment, socio-economic assessment, management and 
conservation, selected harvesting methods, and fish handling and 
processing. NMFS issues this notice describing the conditions under 
which applications will be accepted and how NMFS will determine which 
applications will be selected for funding. Areas of this Marine 
Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) emphasis for FY 1995 were formulated from 
recommendations received from non-Federal scientific and technical 
experts, and NMFS research and operations officials.

DATES: Applications for funding under this program will be accepted 
between July 27, 1994 and 5 p.m. eastern daylight time on September 26, 
1994. Applications received after that time will not be considered for 
funding. No facsimile applications will be accepted.
    Applications may be inspected at the NMFS Southeast Regional Office 
(see ADDRESSES) from September 30, 1994 through October 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send applications to: Ellie Roche, Competitive Programs 
Manager, Cooperative Programs Division, Southeast Regional Office, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellie Roche, 813-893-3720.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority.

    The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) is authorized under 15 U.S.C. 
713c-3(d) to enter into cooperative agreements for research and 
development addressed to all aspects of U.S. fisheries.

II. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).

    This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under program number 11.433, Marine Fisheries Initiative.

III. Program Description.

    MARFIN is a competitive Federal grant program that promotes and 
endorses programs that seek to optimize economic and social benefits 
from marine fishery resources through cooperative efforts that involve 
the best research and management talents to accomplish priority 
activities. Preference is given to selecting and funding applications 
for project grants that provide an opportunity for cooperative NMFS/
applicant efforts and for multiple cooperating applicants/NMFS efforts 
with up to 3-year time horizons. Projects funded under MARFIN are 
focused into cooperative efforts that provide clear answers for fishery 
needs covered by the NMFS Strategic Plan, available from the Southeast 
Regional Office (see ADDRESSES), particularly those goals relating to 
rebuilding overfished marine fisheries, maintaining currently 
productive fisheries, and integrating conservation of protected species 
and fisheries management.
    Applications from multiple cooperating applicants that address 
conservation and management needs over a wide range of a fishery or 
fishery organism are encouraged. Emphasis will be placed upon funding 
projects that have the greatest probability of recovering, maintaining, 
improving, or developing fisheries; improving the understanding of 
factors affecting recruitment success; and/or generating increased 
values and recreational opportunities from fisheries. Projects will be 
evaluated as to the likelihood of achieving these benefits through both 
short-term and long-term research efforts, with consideration of the 
magnitude of the eventual economic or social benefits that may be 
realized. Short-term projects that may yield more immediate benefits, 
and projects yielding longer-term benefits will receive equal 
consideration.

IV. Funding Availability.

    This solicitation announces that funding of approximately $1.25 
million may be available in FY 1995 pending Congressional 
appropriation. MARFIN financial assistance started in FY 1986, and for 
FY 1986 through FY 1994, awards totaled about $15.5 million for 
financial assistance to conduct research for fishery resources in the 
Gulf of Mexico and off the South Atlantic states of North Carolina, 
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. There is no guarantee that 
sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all approved 
projects.
    Project proposals accepted for funding for a project period over 1 
year that include multiple project components or severable tasks to be 
funded each budget period will not compete for funding in subsequent 
budget periods within the approved project period. However, funding for 
subsequent project components is contingent upon the availability of 
funds from Congress and satisfactory performance, and will be at the 
sole discretion of the agency. Publication of this notice does not 
obligate NMFS to award any specific cooperative agreement or to 
obligate all or any parts of the available funds.

V. Matching Requirements.

    Applications must reflect the total budget necessary to accomplish 
the project, including contributions and/or donations. Cost-sharing is 
not required for the MARFIN program. However, cost-sharing is 
encouraged, and in case of a tie in considering proposals for funding, 
cost-sharing may affect the final decision. The appropriateness of all 
cost-sharing will be determined on the basis of guidance provided in 
applicable Federal cost principles. If an applicant chooses to cost-
share, and if that application is selected for funding, the applicant 
will be bound by the percentage of the cost share reflected in the 
cooperative agreement award.
    The non-Federal share may include funds received from private 
sources or from state or local governments, or the value of in-kind 
contributions by the applicant or third parties. Federal funds may not 
be used to meet the non-Federal share of matching funds, except as 
provided by Federal statute. In-kind contributions may be in the form 
of, but are not limited to, personal services rendered in carrying out 
functions related to the project, and use of real or personal property 
owned by others (for which consideration is not required) in carrying 
out the projects.
    The total cost of a project begins on the effective date of a 
cooperative agreement between the applicant and the NOAA Grants Officer 
and ends on the date specified in the award. Accordingly, time expended 
and costs incurred in either the development of a project or the 
financial assistance application, or in any subsequent discussions or 
negotiations prior to the award, are neither reimbursable nor 
recognizable as part of the recipient's cost share.

VI. Type of Funding Instrument.

    The cooperative agreement has been determined to be the appropriate 
funding instrument. NMFS is substantially involved in developing 
program research priorities, conducting cooperative activities with 
recipients, and evaluating the performance of recipients for 
effectiveness in meeting national and regional goals for fishery 
research in the southeastern United States.

VII. Eligibility Criteria.

    1. Applications for cooperative agreements for MARFIN projects may 
be made, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this notice, 
by:
    a. Any individual who is a citizen or national of the United 
States;
    b. Any corporation, partnership, or other entity, non-profit or 
otherwise, if such entity is a citizen of the United States within the 
meaning of section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916, as amended (46 app. 
U.S.C. 802).
    c. Colleges and universities, and game and fish departments of the 
several states.
    2. NOAA employees, including full-time, part-time, and intermittent 
personnel (or their immediate families), and NOAA offices or centers 
are not eligible to submit an application under this solicitation, or 
aid in the preparation of an application during the 60-day solicitation 
period, except to provide information about the MARFIN program and the 
priorities and procedures included in this solicitation. However, NOAA 
employees are permitted to provide information about ongoing and 
planned NOAA programs and activities that may have implication for an 
application. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Ms. Ellie 
Roche at the NMFS Southeast Regional Office (see ADDRESSES) for 
information on NOAA programs. Documents available from that office that 
may be useful to the applicant include:
    a. A Cooperative Reef Fish Research Program for the Gulf of Mexico.
    b. A Cooperative Bycatch Research Plan for the Southeast Region.
    c. Strategic Plan of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
    d. National Status of Stocks Report.
    e. Various fishery management plans and plan amendments produced by 
the Councils and the Commissions.
    f. Report of a Workshop on Grouper Reproduction, November 1993.

VIII. Award Period.

    The award period for the project may be made for more than one year 
consisting of one, two, or three budget periods which correspond to the 
funding for the proposed project components. The award period will 
depend upon the duration of funding requested by the applicant in the 
Application for Federal Assistance, the decision of the NMFS selecting 
official on the amount of funding, the results of post-selection 
negotiations between the applicant and NOAA officials, and preaward 
review of the application by NOAA and Department of Commerce (DOC) 
officials. Normally, each project budget period may be no more than 18 
months in duration. NOAA policy limits the total duration of a project 
to about 3 years.

IX. Indirect Costs.

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award, or 25 percent of the total 
proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less. Institutions with indirect cost rates above 25 percent may use 
the amount above the 25-percent level as part of the non-Federal share. 
A copy of the current, approved, negotiated Indirect Cost Agreement 
with the Federal government must be included with the application.

X. Profit or Fees.

    Profit or management fees paid to for-profit or commercial 
organization grantees are allowable at the discretion of NOAA. However, 
they shall not exceed 7 percent of the total estimated direct costs. 
There must be no profit or fees to the recipient in any overhead 
charge. Payment of fees or profit is based on successful completion of 
project objectives.

XI. Application Forms and Kit.

    Before submitting an application under this program, applicants 
should contact the NMFS Southeast Regional Office for a copy of this 
solicitation's MARFIN Application Package (see ADDRESSES).
    Applications for project funding under this program must be 
complete and be in accordance with instructions in the MARFIN 
Application Package. They must identify the principal participants and 
include copies of any agreements describing the specific tasks to be 
performed by participants. Project applications should give a clear 
presentation of the proposed work, the methods for carrying out the 
project, its relevance to managing and enhancing the use of Gulf of 
Mexico and/or South Atlantic fishery resources, and cost estimates as 
they relate to specific aspects of the project. Budgets must include a 
detailed breakdown, by category of expenditures, with appropriate 
justification for both the Federal and non-Federal shares. Applicants 
should not assume prior knowledge on the part of NMFS as to the 
relative merits of the project described in the application. 
Applications are not to be bound in any manner and should be one-sided. 
All incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant. Three 
copies (one original and two copies) of each application are required, 
and should be submitted to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office, 
Cooperative Programs Division (see ADDRESSES).

XII. Project Funding Priorities.

    A. Proposals for FY 1995 should exhibit familiarity with related 
work that is completed or ongoing. Where appropriate, proposals should 
be multidisciplinary. Coordinated efforts involving multiple 
institutions or persons are encouraged. The areas of special emphasis 
are listed below, but proposals in other areas will be considered on a 
funds-available basis.
    In addition to referencing specific area(s) of special interest as 
listed below, proposals should state whether the research will apply to 
the Gulf of Mexico only, the South Atlantic only, or to both areas. 
Successful applicants may be required to collect and manage data in 
accordance with standardized procedures and formats approved by NMFS, 
and to participate with NMFS in specific cooperative activities that 
will be determined by consultations between NMFS and successful 
applicants before project grants are awarded. Recipients of financial 
assistance for projects with multiple project periods must include 
funding in their applications for travel expenses for the principal 
investigator to participate in one annual project review and evaluation 
meeting in St. Petersburg, FL. All recipients of financial assistance 
under this program shall include funding in their applications for the 
principal investigator to participate in an annual MARFIN Conference at 
the completion of the project.
    Research needs identified in fishery management plans (FMPs) and 
amendments prepared by the Gulf and South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils (Councils) and the Gulf and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 
Commissions (Commissions) are included. For availability of these 
documents, contact the NMFS Southeast Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). 
Areas of special emphasis for FY 1995 include:
    1. Shrimp Trawler Bycatch.
    Studies are needed to contribute to the regional shrimp trawler 
bycatch program being conducted by NMFS in cooperation with state 
fishery management agencies, commercial and recreational fishing 
organizations and interests, environmental organizations, universities, 
Councils, and Commissions. Specific guidance and research requirements 
are contained in the Regional Bycatch Plan prepared through the Gulf 
and South Atlantic Fisheries Development Foundation. In particular, the 
studies should address:
    a. Data collection and analyses to expand and update current 
bycatch estimates temporally and spatially from offshore, nearshore, 
and inshore waters, emphasizing areas of greatest shrimping impact. 
Sampling effort should include estimates of numbers, weight, and age 
structure of the associated bycatch complex.
    b. Assessments of the status and condition of fish stocks 
significantly impacted by shrimp trawler bycatch, with emphasis given 
to overfished species under the jurisdiction of the Councils.
    c. Identification, development, and evaluation of gear, non- gear 
and tactical fishing options to reduce bycatch.
    d. Improved methods for communicating with and improving technology 
and information transfer to the shrimp industry.
    e. Social and economic impacts of management options to reduce 
shrimp fishery bycatch.
    2. Highly Migratory Pelagic Fisheries.
    a. Longline Fisheries, Including Bycatch.
    A number of pelagic longline fisheries exist in the Gulf and South 
Atlantic, targeting highly migratory species such as tunas, some 
sharks, and swordfish. These fisheries have evolved rapidly over the 
last decade, with increases in fishing effort and changes in fishing 
gear and tactics. These changes need to be characterized and their 
effects quantified. High priority areas include:
    (1) Characterization of specific longline fisheries, including 
targeted species, stock identification, catch-per-unit-effort of 
bycatch, and biological parameters (e.g., sex ratios and reproductive 
state) by gear type, area and season.
    (2) Evaluation of vessel log data for monitoring the fisheries.
    (3) Development and evaluation of gear and fishing tactics to 
minimize bycatch of undersized and unwanted species, including sea 
turtles and marine mammals.
    (4) Assessment of the impact of longline bycatch on related 
fisheries, including biological, social, and economic factors and 
effects.
    (5) Dependence of vessels and persons engaged in pelagic longlining 
on other fisheries. Particular emphasis should be placed on the extent 
to which the capital and/or labor engages in other fisheries at 
particular times of the year and reasons for this switching behavior.
    b. Sharks.
    A Secretarial FMP for sharks has been developed that identifies a 
number of research needs, including:
    (1) Characterization of the commercial and recreational fisheries 
from historical and current databases. Emphasis should be on species 
composition, bycatch, stock identification, size, sex ratios and catch-
per-unit-effort by season, area, and gear type.
    (2) Collection and analysis of basic biological data on movements, 
habitats, growth rates, mortality rates, age structure and reproduction 
parameters. These data are of particular importance for blacktip and 
sandbar sharks. Information on the relationship of sandbar sharks to 
water depth and determination of the southern boundary of its range are 
specifically needed.
    (3) Determination of baseline cost and returns for commercial 
fisheries that land sharks, and estimation of demand curves for shark 
products and recreational shark fisheries.
    (4) Development of species profiles and stock assessments for 
sharks taken in significant quantities by commercial and recreational 
fishers, and as bycatch in other fisheries. Assessments can be species-
specific or for species groups, following those identified in the 
Atlantic Sharks FMP.
    (5) Identification of coastal sharks, using laboratory 
methodologies.
    (6) Development of a more precise and accurate estimate of the 
recreational shark fishery. Proposals in this area must demonstrate a 
knowledge of the Marine Recreational Fishery Statistical Survey 
(MRFSS), and should indicate a willingness to participate directly in 
the MRFSS through add-on surveys or enhancement of current surveys.
    (7) Development of fishery-independent abundance indices.
    3. Reef Fish.
    A number of species within the reef fish complex are showing signs 
of being overfished, either by directed efforts or as bycatch in other 
fisheries. The ecology of reef fish makes them vulnerable to 
overfishing because they tend to concentrate over specific types of 
habitats with patchy distribution. This behavior pattern can make 
traditional fishery statistics misleading. Priority research areas 
include:
    a. Collection of basic biological data for species in commercially 
and recreationally important fisheries.
    (1) Age and growth of reef fish.
    (a) Description of age and growth patterns (especially red snapper, 
gray triggerfish and red porgy in the Gulf of Mexico and greater 
amberjack in the Gulf and South Atlantic).
    (b) Development of annual age-length keys for vermilion snapper in 
the northern Gulf and west coast central Florida, and for red grouper 
in the Gulf, along with new growth models for red grouper that include 
possible density-dependent effects, as well as environmental effects.
    (2) Reproduction studies of reef fish.
    (a) Maturity schedules and fecundity of commercially and 
recreationally important reef fish (especially gray triggerfish and red 
porgy in the Gulf of Mexico).
    (b) Detailed histological studies of red snapper to characterize 
the actual reproductive contribution of females, by age.
    (c) Identification and characterization of spawning aggregations by 
species, areas, and seasons. Information is especially needed on 
changes in sex ratios for gag grouper caused by fishing on spawning 
aggregations.
    (d) Reproductive studies covering extensive geographic 
distributions along the southeastern U.S. coast (North Carolina through 
the Florida Keys). Samples should be obtained from recreational 
(private and headboats) and commercial vessels.
    (e) Reproductive biology of gag, red grouper and other grouper 
species. Of particular importance are evaluation of sperm limitation, 
determination of the proximal causes of sex change (whether behavioral 
or developmental), determination of the annual periodicity of sex-
change induction and age-specific spawning frequency, and other 
research identified in the recommendations of the workshop on grouper 
reproduction held in Panama City, FL, in November 1993.
    (3) Recruitment of reef fish.
    (a) Source of recruitment in Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 
waters (especially amberjack and vermilion snapper), and possible 
Caribbean source for Florida Keys snapper and grouper.
    (b) Annual estimation of the absolute or relative recruitment of 
juvenile gag to the seagrass beds off the west coast of Florida and to 
similar estuarine nursery habitats along the South Atlantic Bight; 
development of an index of juvenile gag recruitment for the South 
Atlantic based on historical databases and/or field studies.
    (c) Evaluation of the contribution of live-bottom habitat to reef 
fish recruitment
    (4) Stock structure of reef fish.
    (a) Movement and migration patterns of commercially and 
recreationally valuable reef fish species (especially gag and greater 
amberjack in the South Atlantic).
    (b) Techniques to allow field separation of lesser amberjack, 
almaco jack, and banded rudderfish from greater amberjack to facilitate 
accurate reporting of catch.
    (c) Stock structure of gag and wreckfish in the South Atlantic, and 
greater amberjack in the Gulf and South Atlantic.
    (d) Use of parasitological surveys in species such as wreckfish and 
white grunt to determine stock structure.
    b. Behavioral studies of reef fish.
    (1) Description of the behavior of age-0 and age-1 red snapper.
    (2) Effects of fishing on reproductive behavior, in formation of 
aggregations and disruption of existing aggregations.
    c. Population assessment of reef fish.
    (1) Effect of reproductive mode and sex change (protogynous 
hermaphroditism) on population size and characteristics, with reference 
to sizes of fish exploited in the fisheries and the significance to 
proper management.
    (2) Design of sampling routines to provide a production-style aging 
program representative of the reef fish fishery. Effective dock-side 
sampling programs, especially for groupers, are needed over a wide 
geographic range to collect information on reproductive state, size, 
age, and sex. These research needs are discussed in the report of the 
workshop on grouper reproduction held in Panama City, FL, in November 
1993.
    (3) Source and quantification of natural and human-induced 
mortalities.
    (4) Determination of the habitat and limiting factors for important 
reef fish resources (such as snappers in the Gulf of Mexico). 
Information is also needed on the importance of human-created and 
natural channels for controlling stock sizes and growth rates of 
snappers and groupers.
    (5) Description of habitat and fish populations in the deep reef 
community and the prey distributions supporting the community.
    (6) Evaluation of the effect of misidentifying gag as black grouper 
on landing statistics and stock assessments.
    (7) Development of statistically valid indices of abundance for 
important reef fish species in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 
(especially red grouper), including spatial and temporal variations in 
size distribution.
    (8) Assessment of tag performance on reef fish species, mainly 
snappers and groupers. Characteristics examined should include shedding 
rate, effects on growth and survival, and effects of these 
characteristics on estimations of vital population parameters.
    (9) Stock assessments to establish the status of major recreational 
and commercial species. Innovative methods are needed for stock 
assessments of aggregate species, including the effect of fishing on 
genetic structure and the incorporation of sex change for protogynous 
hermaphrodites into stock assessment models.
    (10) Fishery-independent assessments of spawning aggregations of 
gag, scamp, yellowedge and other groupers, using hydroacoustic and 
underwater video technology.
    d. Management of reef fish.
    (1) Research in direct support of management, including catch-and-
release mortalities by gear and depth, the value of limiting longlines 
to specific water depths (e.g., outside the 50-fathom (91.4-m) curve), 
and modifications (gear, techniques) to minimize bycatch.
    (2) Evaluation of the use of reef fish marine reserves as an 
alternative or supplement to current fishery management measures and 
practices, especially in the South Atlantic. Of particular interest is 
Oculina Banks off the Atlantic Coast of Florida.
    (3) Characterization and evaluation of the social and economic 
behavior of commercial and recreational fishermen, and how these 
characteristics change in response to management measures.
    (4) Characterization and quantification of the biological, 
economic, and social impacts of the longline fishery for reef fish 
along the west coast of Florida. This should include the following:
    (a) Catch-per-unit-effort of target and bycatch species, and 
biological parameters (e.g., size, sex, and reproductive state) by gear 
type, area, and season.
    (b) Evaluation of vessel log data for monitoring the fishery.
    (c) Development and evaluation of gear and fishing tactics to 
minimize the bycatch of undersized and unwanted species, including sea 
turtles and marine mammals.
    (d) Assessment of the impact of longline bycatch on related 
fisheries.
    4. Coastal Herrings.
    Preliminary studies indicate that substantial stocks of coastal 
herrings occur in the Gulf and South Atlantic. Most of the available 
data are generated from fishery-independent surveys conducted by NMFS 
and state fishery management agencies. Because of the size of these 
stocks, their importance as prey, and in some instances as predator 
species, their potential for development as commercial and recreational 
fisheries must be understood. General research needs include:
    a. Collection, collation, and analysis of available fishery-
independent and fishery-dependent data from state and Federal surveys, 
with emphasis on species and size composition, seasonal distribution 
patterns, biomass, bycatch, and environmental relationships. Emphasis 
should be given to species such as Spanish sardine that are important 
as prey to gamefish.
    b. Description and quantification of predator-prey relationships 
between coastal herring species and carnivores such as mackerels, 
tunas, swordfish, billfish, sharks, bluefish, and others in high demand 
by commercial and recreational fisheries.
    c. Design of innovative economic and social management approaches 
for the purse seine menhaden fishery, including, but not limited to, 
limited entry.
    5. Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fisheries.
    The commercial and recreational demand for migratory coastal 
pelagics has led to overfishing for certain species, including king and 
Spanish mackerel. Additionally, some are transboundary with Mexico and 
other countries and ultimately will demand international management 
attention. Current high priorities include:
    a. Recruitment indices for king and Spanish mackerel, cobia, 
dolphin, and bluefish, primarily from fishery-independent data sources.
    b. Assessment and management models for coastal pelagic resources 
that are dominated by single year classes, such as Spanish mackerel, 
dolphin, and bluefish.
    c. Fishery-independent methods of assessing stock abundance of king 
and Spanish mackerel.
    d. Improved catch statistics for all species in Mexican waters, 
with special emphasis on king mackerel; needed especially is length-
frequency, life history and genetic information.
    e. Information on populations of coastal pelagics overwintering off 
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, especially population 
size, age and movement patterns.
    f. Basic biostatistical information on cobia and dolphin to develop 
age-length keys and maturation schedules for stock assessments.
    g. Impact of bag limits on total catch and landings of king and 
Spanish mackerel.
    h. Demand and supply functions for recreational and commercial 
fisheries for king mackerel in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. 
Emphasis should be on changes in marginal values of producer and 
consumer surpluses, since the studies would be used in allocation 
frameworks where total values are not necessarily required.
    6. Groundfish and Estuarine Fishes
    Substantial stocks of groundfish and estuarine species occur in the 
Gulf and South Atlantic. Most of the database for assessments comes 
from studies conducted by NMFS and state fishery management agencies. 
Because of the historic and current size of these fish stocks, their 
importance as predator and prey species, and their current or potential 
use as commercial and recreational fisheries, more information on their 
biology and conservation is needed. General research needs are:
    a. Red drum.
    (1) Effects of sportfishing on red drum populations in the Gulf of 
Mexico and South Atlantic. A specific need in the South Atlantic is 
increased sampling of nighttime fishing for red drum on the Outer Banks 
of North Carolina.
    (2) Size and age-structure of the offshore adult red drum stock in 
the Gulf of Mexico.
    (3) Immigration and escapement of red drum from state waters into 
the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Gulf of Mexico and the South 
Atlantic.
    (4) Life history parameters and stock structure for the Gulf of 
Mexico and the South Atlantic. Research should include migratory 
patterns, long-term changes in abundance, growth rates and age 
structure, and comparisons of the inshore and offshore components of 
recreational and/or commercial fisheries. Specific research needs for 
Atlantic red drum are fecundity estimates, as a function of length and 
weight, and improved coastwide coverage for age-length keys.
    (5) Catch-and-release mortality rates from inshore and nearshore 
waters, and fishing mortality rates in state territorial waters of the 
Gulf of Mexico.
    b. Life history and stock structure for weakfish, menhaden, spot 
and croaker in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic. Research 
should include migratory patterns, long-term changes in abundance, 
growth rates and age structure, and comparisons of the inshore and 
offshore components of recreational and/or commercial fisheries.
    c. Improved catch and effort statistics from recreational and 
commercial fisheries, including size and age structure of the catch, to 
develop production models.
    d. Quantification and qualification of the bycatch in finfish trawl 
fisheries, such as the flounder and fly-net fisheries in the South 
Atlantic.
    e. Determination of catch-and-release mortality rates for spotted 
seatrout from inshore and nearshore waters.
    7. Crabs and Lobsters.
    a. Monitoring of fecundity and sex/size frequencies for examination 
of spawning potential in relation to overfishing criteria for stone 
crab and spiny lobster.
    b. Development of recruitment indices, and population assessment 
and management models for stone crab and spiny lobster.
    c. Determination of the relationship between the reproductive cycle 
characteristics of spiny lobster in Florida and the Caribbean.
    8. Sea Turtle Conservation.
    The conservation of endangered and threatened sea turtles in the 
Southeast Region continues to be a high priority. Specific needs 
include:
    a. Distribution, abundance and size composition of sea turtles in 
inshore waters, especially where these turtles may be affected by 
inshore fisheries.
    b. Turtle excluder device (TED) modifications or designs to exclude 
adult leatherback sea turtles. The area of special concern is off South 
Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
    c. TED designs and modifications for use in small inshore shrimp 
trawls. Especially needed is research on shrimp retention and on the 
effectiveness of TEDs operating in areas with debris.
    d. Sea turtle incidental catch in fisheries other than the shrimp 
fishery.
    e. Evaluation of the utility of turtle stranding data as an 
indication of fishery-caused mortality.
    9. General.
    There are many areas of research that need to be addressed for 
improved understanding and management of fishery resources. These 
include methods for data collection, management, analysis, and for 
better conservation. Examples of high priority research needs include:
    a. Design and critical analysis of a data collection system that 
may involve permits, logbooks, trip interviews, dealer reporting or 
other innovative methods. The system design should be applicable across 
the entire range of species that may be pursued throughout the Gulf and 
South Atlantic, and should address economic, biological and social data 
needs.
    b. Assessment of the changes in recreational and commercial values 
that have resulted from past management practices for red drum, shrimp, 
mackerels and reef fish.
    c. Development of improved methods and procedures for technology 
transfer, and education of constituency groups on fishery management 
and conservation programs. Of special importance are programs concerned 
with controlled access and introduction of conservation gear.
    d. Compilation of baseline socio-demographic data for describing 
the social and cultural framework of managed fisheries. B. Priority in 
program emphasis will be placed upon funding projects that have the 
greatest probability of recovering, maintaining, improving, or 
developing fisheries; improving the understanding of factors affecting 
recruitment success; and generating increased values and recreational 
opportunities from fisheries. Projects will be evaluated as to the 
likelihood of achieving these benefits through short- and long-term 
research efforts, with consideration given to the magnitude of the 
eventual economic benefits that may be realized.
    C. Further information on current Federal programs that address the 
above-listed priorities may be obtained from the NMFS Southeast 
Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).

XIII. Evaluation Criteria.

    Successful applicants generally will be recommended within 210 days 
from the date of publication of this notice. The earliest start date of 
awards will be about 90 days after each project is selected and after 
all NMFS/applicant negotiations of cooperative activities have been 
completed (The earliest start date of awards will be about 300 days 
after the date of publication of this notice). Applicants should 
consider this selection and processing time in developing requested 
start dates for their applications. Proposed projects will be evaluated 
and ranked as follows:
    1. Cooperatively developed applications that propose activities of 
two or more qualified applicants to address important fishery 
conservation and management issues or problems identified in the Areas 
of Emphasis for this solicitation may be evaluated as a group by NMFS. 
If selected for funding, individual cooperative awards may be made to 
each individual applicant. Application procedures for this type of 
proposal are also included in the FY 1995 MARFIN Application Package.
    2. Unless otherwise specified by statute, in reviewing applications 
for cooperative agreements, including those that include consultants 
and contracts, NOAA will make a determination regarding the following:
    a. Is the involvement of the applicant necessary to the conduct of 
the project and the accomplishment of its goals and objectives?
    b. Is the proposed allocation of the applicant's time reasonable 
and commensurate with the applicant's involvement in the project?
    c. Are the proposed costs for the applicant's involvement in the 
project reasonable and commensurate with the benefits to be derived 
from the applicant's participation?
    d. Is the project proposal substantial in character and design?
    3. Applications meeting the above requirements will be forwarded 
for technical evaluation. Applicants submitting applications not 
meeting the above requirements will be notified. Evaluations normally 
will involve experts from non-NOAA, as well as NOAA organizations. All 
comments submitted to NMFS will be taken into consideration in the 
technical evaluation of projects. NMFS will provide point scores on 
proposals, based on the following evaluation criteria:
    a. Does the proposal have a clearly stated goal(s) with associated 
objectives that meet the needs outlined in the Project Narrative? (30 
points)
    b. Does the proposal clearly identify and describe, in the Project 
Outline and Statement of Work, scientifically valid methodologies and 
analytical procedures that will adequately address project goals and 
objectives? (30 points)
    c. Do the principal investigators provide a scientifically 
realistic timetable to enable full accomplishment of all aspects of the 
Statements of Work? (20 points)
    d. Do the principal investigators define how they will maintain 
stewardship of the project performance, finances, cooperative 
relationships and reporting requirements for the proposal? (10 points)
    e. Are the proposed costs appropriate for the scope of work 
proposed? (10 points)

XIV. Selection Procedures.

    All applications will be ranked by a NMFS scientific panel into two 
groups: (a) Recommended, and (b) Not Recommended. Proposals ranked as 
Not Recommended will not be given further consideration for selection 
and funding. All rankings will be presented to a panel of non-NOAA 
fishery experts, who will individually consider the significance of the 
problem addressed in each project proposal, the technical evaluation, 
and need for funding. These panel members will provide individual 
recommendations to NMFS on each proposal classified as Recommended or 
Not Recommended.
    The non-NOAA panel members' individual comments, recommendations 
and evaluations, and recommendations of the NMFS scientific panel and 
NMFS Southeast Program Officer will be considered by the Director, 
Southeast Region, NMFS (Regional Director). The Regional Director, in 
consultation with the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, will: 
(a) Determine which projects do not substantially duplicate other 
projects that are currently funded by NOAA or are approved for funding 
by other Federal offices, and recommend the projects to be funded. The 
exact amount of funds awarded, the final scope of activities, the 
project duration, and specific NMFS cooperative involvement with the 
activities of each project will be determined in pre-award negotiations 
between the applicant, the NOAA Grants Office, and the NMFS Program 
Staff. Projects must not be initiated by recipients until a signed 
award is received from the NOAA Grants Office. For project periods of 
more than 1 year, funds for subsequent budget periods may be provided 
if initial project tasks are satisfactorily completed and after NMFS 
has received MARFIN funds for subsequent periods.
    NMFS will make project applications available for review as 
follows:
    A. Public Review and Comment Applications may be inspected at the 
NMFS Southeast Regional Office (see ADDRESSES and DATES).
    B. Consultation with Members of the Fishing Industry, Management 
Agencies, Environmental Organizations, and Academic Institutions NMFS 
shall, at its discretion, request comments from members of the fishing 
and associated industries, groups, organizations and institutions who 
have knowledge in the subject matter of a project or who would be 
affected by a project.
    C. Consultation with Government Agencies Applications will be 
reviewed by the NMFS Southeast Region Program Office in consultation 
with the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center and Southeast 
Operations Directors, including appropriate operations and laboratory 
personnel, the NOAA Grants Officer and, as appropriate, DOC bureaus and 
other Federal agencies.

XV. Other Requirements.

    A. Federal Policies and Procedures. Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and DOC policies, 
regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance 
awards. Women and minority individuals and groups are encouraged to 
submit applications under this program.
    B. Past Performance. Any first-time applicant for Federal grant 
funds is subject to a pre-award accounting survey prior to execution of 
the award. Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may 
result in an application not being considered for funding.
    C. Preaward Activities. If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written 
assurance that they may have received, there is no obligation on the 
part of DOC to cover preaward costs.
    D. No Obligation of Future Funding. If an application is selected 
for funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase 
funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion 
of DOC.
    E. Delinquent Federal Debts. No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has any outstanding delinquent Federal debt 
until either:
    1. The delinquent account is paid in full;
    2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received; or
    3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.
    F. Name Check Review. All non-profit and for-profit applicants are 
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to 
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been 
convicted of or are presently facing, criminal charges such as fraud, 
theft, perjury, or other matters that significantly reflect on the 
applicant's management honesty or financial integrity. Potential non-
profit and for-profit recipients may also be subject to reviews of Dun 
and Bradstreet data or other similar credit checks.
    G. Primary Applicant Certifications. All primary applicants must 
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby 
provided:
    1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR 26.105) are subject to 15 CFR part 
26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    2. Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than 
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the 
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever 
is greater; and
    4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit a Form SL-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 
28, appendix B.
    H. Lower Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier 
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if 
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier 
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL 
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to 
DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award 
document.
    I. False Statements. A false statement on the application is 
grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible 
punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    J. Intergovernmental Review. Applications under this program are 
subject to the provisions of E.O. 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs''.
    K. Requirement to Buy American-Made Equipment and Products. 
Applicants are hereby notified that they are encouraged, to the extent 
feasible, to purchase American-made equipment and products with funding 
provided under this program in accordance with Congressional intent as 
set forth in the resolution contained in Pub. L. 103-121, Sections 
606(a) and (b).

Classification

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for
    this notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, 
a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.
    Cooperative agreements awarded pursuant to pertinent statutes shall 
be in accordance with the Fisheries Research Plan (comprehensive 
program of fisheries research) in effect on the date of the award.
    Federal participation under the MARFIN Program may include the 
assignment of DOC scientific personnel and equipment.
    Reasonable, negotiated financial compensation will be provided 
under awards for the work of eligible grantee workers.
    Information-collection requirements contained in this notice have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Clearance No. 
0648-0175) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Public 
reporting burden for agency-specific collection-of-information 
elements, exclusive of requirements
    specified under applicable OMB circulars, is estimated to average 4 
hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d)

    Dated: July 21, 1994.
Nancy Foster, Ph.D.,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-18232 Filed 7-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F