NOAA Fisheries Service (NMFS) developed the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan) in consultation with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (Team) to reduce the serious injury and mortality of several large whale species in U. S. commercial fisheries along the Atlantic coast.

The

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Plan primarily addresses entanglement of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), although other large whale species expected to also benefit.

The Plan has several monitoring components, including research priorities on:
1) identification of specific metrics for quantifying right whale abundance, trends in abundance, and trajectory of the population; 2) based on these metrics, determine most appropriate right whale survey and sampling methods/regimes to monitor the population and to detect and measure changes in population abundance; 3) Assess relative effectiveness of right whale threat-reduction measures; 4) identify most appropriate sampling and survey methods to assess possible changes in right whale distribution; and 5) Strategic evaluation of right whale assessment methods – appropriate balance of visual (vessel/aerial) surveys, passive acoustic moorings, gliders, and other assessment techniques.

We are soliciting competitive proposals for grants and cooperative agreements that work to address any of the five monitoring priorities identified above.

Total funding available under this notice is expected not to exceed $150,00 0. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon FY 2017 Federal appropriations.

Award amounts will be determined by the proposals and available funds; one or more grants may be awarded.