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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

11.434:  Cooperative Fishery Statistics

Objectives:  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.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

11.434 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Eligible applicants are the Marine Fisheries Conservation agencies of the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  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.

Credentials/Documentation:  Applicants are required to satisfy all DOC/NOAA standards and regulations, including routine and special terms and conditions for financial assistance programs application and conduct. Applicants may be required to show proof that they are mandated by their own State to monitor fishery resources and to manage or participate in the management of these resources.

11.434 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  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.

Application Procedure:  Cooperative activities and funding amounts are determined by consultation between the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the State agency. Submission of an application on Standard Form 424, including all required certifications, to the appropriate National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Regional Director, Science and Research Director, or Office Director. This program is subject to the provisions of 15 CFR 24 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments), and OMB Circulars No. A-110 and A87. NOAA reserves the right to withhold the awarding of a grant or cooperative agreement to any individual or organization delinquent on a debt to the Federal government until payment is made or satisfactory arrangements are made with the agency to whom the debt is owed.

Award Procedure:  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 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.

Deadlines:  Completed application packages must be received at the following address at least 90 days before the requested start date of the project. Applications are submitted to: National Marine Fisheries Service, State/Federal Liaison Office, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, Florida 33702.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Approval time is expected to range from 90 to 120 days, which includes processing of the award through the NMFS, NOAA, and DOC financial assistance procedures.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  Multiple year awards of up to three years may be approved. Once awarded, recipients apply for continuation awards for each successive yearly budget period. 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.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Proposals are selected based on the results of Cooperative Statistics 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 Cooperative Statistics committee recommendations and on the level of activities that are planned for accomplishment. Regardless of source, proposals must under go rigorous technical review and comply with all OMB, DOC, and NOAA grants policies and procedures.

Examples of Funded Projects:  All projects are NMFS/State (U.S. territory/commonwealth) cooperative fisheries statistics, agreements, for the collection, analysis and distribution of statistical information.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  $71,300 to $185,023; $95,182.

11.434 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 11.407 Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986;
• 11.435 Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program;
• 11.474 Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act.

11.434 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Data on the activities of commercial and recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic and Caribbean were collected. These data are used by States, Interstate Fisheries Commissions and Fishery Management Councils to develop, implement and evaluate the results of fishery management plans.

11.434 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

Obligations:  (Cooperative Agreements) FY 99 $1,182,310; FY 00 est $3,900,000; and FY 01 est $4,302,076.

Budget Account Number:  13-1450-0-1-306.

Authorization:  Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C. 753 a.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  For cost principles see OMB Circular No. A-87. For Grants Management principles see OMB Circular Nos. A-102 (15 CFR - Part 24). Application guidelines are provided by the NMFS Regional Office, address listed below.

11.434 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Cynthia Pierce, State/Federal Liaison Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive, N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Phone: (727) 570-5324. Use the same number for FTS. E-mail: Cynthia.Pierce@noaa.gov.

Headquarters Office:  Not applicable.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

11.434 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  This program has no statutory formula. Projects are funded at up to 100 percent of the Federal share. Grantee matching contributions are not required, but are encouraged.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  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. Funds are released to the recipient upon request from NOAA Vendor Express, Financial Assistance Disbursement System, FADS.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds are to support cooperative State and Federal programs to collect statistics on commercial and recreational fisheries in support of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act.

11.434 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Reporting requirements are outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the Financial Assistance Award. Progress reports summarize work accomplished and explain situations where expected work has not been completed. Financial reports indicate use of funds during the financial reporting period designated.

Audits:  In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Non-profit Organizations (to include hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document.

Records:  All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of grantees or subgrantees are required to be retained for 3 years from the date of the final financial status report for each award.