[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting applications for proposals for the 2014-2015 funding cycle from the N.C. Marine Resources Fund.
The fund, which receives proceeds from the sale of Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses, provides grants for projects that help manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate and enhance the state’s marine resources.
Only universities and local and state governmental entities in North Carolina are eligible to apply. Others may partner with one of these eligible entities.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the Coastal Recreational Fishing License Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Improvement of North Carolina’s Marine Resources. The plan considers priority research needs identified in fishery management plans approved by the Marine Fisheries Commission, issues identified in the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan and research needs identified cooperatively with other agencies. The strategic plan can be found on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ website at http://tinyurl.com/NC-CRFL-Strategic-Plan.
Projects submitted for this funding cycle should fall under one of three programmatic areas:
Fish
Projects that estimate recreational fishing effort, harvest and mortality of important coastal recreational fish species, the socio-economic attributes of coastal recreational fisheries or the characterization of catch and release mortality
Habitat
Projects that improve the effectiveness of existing environmental programs or that identify, designate or protect coastal recreational fish habitat
People
Projects that provide increased access to recreational fisheries resources and enhancement structures or provide better public education and enrichment products.
All proposals must be submitted to the director of the Division of Marine Fisheries by 5 p.m. July 31.
For more information, contact CRFL Project Coordinator Beth Govoni at (252) 808-8004 or (800) 682-2632 or Beth.Govoni@ncdenr.gov.