FY 25 MARFIN

Background
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Region, is seeking proposals under the Marine Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN) for research and development projects that optimize the use of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and off the South Atlantic states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

This initiative aims to address NOAA's mission goal of 'Healthy Oceans' by involving the U.S. fishing industry in various aspects including fishery biology, resource assessment, socio-economic assessment, management and conservation, selected harvesting methods, and fish handling and processing.

Grant Details
The Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) is a competitive Federal assistance program that funds projects aimed at optimizing research and development benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources through cooperative efforts.

Projects funded under MARFIN are expected to address priority activities related to rebuilding overfished marine fisheries and maintaining currently productive fisheries. Specific tasks include:
1) Estimating seafood demand models for commercially important species;
2) Evaluating economic benefits of alternative allocations in fisheries;
3) Developing simulation models for commercial fishing behavior;
4) Conducting comprehensive fishery-independent monitoring;
5) Creating reliable annual bycatch estimates;
6) Developing habitat utilization assessments for priority federally-managed fish stocks;
7) Researching barriers faced by women in marine fisheries; and
8) Undertaking studies on coral recruitment factors.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, individuals, and state, local, and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible. For-profit organizations are excluded as well as foreign governments and international organizations.

Period of Performance
The period of award may be from one to three years with the earliest start date for projects being September 1, 2025.

Grant Value
Actual funding available for this program is contingent upon FY 2025 Congressional appropriations. The number of awards will depend on eligible applications received and funds requested.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed in the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and off the South Atlantic states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.