Ocean Associates, Inc., in collaboration with the Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction and with funding from the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, is pleased to announce the availability of grants to support capacity building for reducing marine mammal bycatch. The kinds of projects eligible for support can include:

- Evaluation of potential marine mammal bycatch reduction techniques;
- Developing and Implementing bycatch monitoring programs;
- Establishing estimates of bycatch and calculating bycatch limits in fisheries that interact with marine mammals; and
- Advancing measures to prohibit intentional killing or serious injury to marine mammals associated with fishing operations.

For 2023, US$250,000 is available to support projects. We anticipate granting approximately six awards. We will consider a maximum request of $32,000, and a minimum of $10,000. Priority will be given to applications from low and middle income countries (LMIC), which can focus on national initiatives or projects within particular fisheries, with preference given to ones that export seafood to the United States. For projects not in LMIC countries, proposals should outline how the results would have application in developing country fisheries. There is no matching fund requirement, but projects with matching funds will be favorably reviewed. Proposals will be accepted up to May 15, 2023, and should end by September 1, 2024. Proposals of longer duration will be eligible for support, though not encouraged. A rationale for project timing should be submitted for all applications.  APPLY HERE.

If you have not received confirmation of application submission and you applied before April 21, 2023, please resubmit, or send application package directly to Mary Means Odum, MaryMeans@oceanassoc.com.