THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409220429
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY BETTY MITCHELL GRAY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
North Carolina fisheries regulators are seeking fishermen to conduct research into new fishing practices, innovative uses of gear and related subjects as part of the state's first Fisheries Resource Grant program.
In a Wednesday telephone conference call centered in Raleigh, the state Marine Fisheries Commission approved rules governing the $1 million grant program for fisheries research.
Next month, the N.C. Sea Grant program will conduct workshops for those interested in applying for the grants.
``This program, if worked correctly, could be a tremendous shot in the arm,'' Robert V. Lucas, chairman of the Marine Fisheries Commission, said at a meeting of a state legislative panel studying seafood and aquaculture issues. ``Here is the chance for money to go to a fisherman to help get information that we need to better manage the resource.''
The grant program, established by the state legislature earlier this year, is designed to improve the state's coastal fisheries resources and encourage fishermen to participate in the management of the state's fisheries.
The Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to begin awarding the grants early next year.
Under a division timetable, the Marine Fisheries Commission will request proposals this fall from interested fishermen and other groups who want to receive some of the grant money to do research on fishing gear, new fishing practices or other items of interest to the industry.
To be considered for funding, grant applications must be submitted or postmarked by Jan. 16, 1995. Grants will be distributed as evenly as possible among the northern, Pamlico, central and southern areas of the coast, a division spokesman said.
To be considered for funding, projects should involve research of fishing gear or strategies to reduce by-catch; gear or fishing methods that reduce the effects of fishing on the environment; and new techniques for restoring coastal fishery habitats and testing of aquaculture techniques, according to division guidelines.
The workshops will teach fishermen and others interested in applying for the grants the process to follow in seeking research funds, the ways of writing an effective proposal and where to go for technical help with research ideas, said Jim Murray of the Sea Grant Program.
``Are we going to have 10 proposals or 200? We really don't know, especially this first year,'' Murray said. ``There are some ideas out there among fishermen who work on the water of ways to do things better.''
``I think we'll attract some very good ideas,'' he said.
The fisheries grant program - the only program to provide grants to fishermen for fisheries research - was approved by the General Assembly earlier this year and was the brainchild of Senate leader Marc Basnight of Manteo.
Basnight said he envisioned the program as working similar to agriculture extension projects which are designed to help farmers become more efficient through research projects.
Operating rules for the fisheries program will be the subject of a public hearing scheduled for Nov. 7 in Morehead City. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
FISHERIES RESOURCE GRANT PROGRAM
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
by CNB