News Update
RESTORE Act Science Program awards $16.7 million for Gulf research
Staff report
Enviro-Net
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administation issued awards totaling of $16.7 million from its RESTORE Act Science Program. This year, the awardees’ proposed projects support research into bluefin tuna, blue crabs, Mississippi oyster farmers, and other parts of the Gulf ecosystem.
The grants highlight the vital role NOAA plays in the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, said agency officials.
The RESTORE Act authorized NOAA to establish and administer the RESTORE Act Science Program that funds programs assisting research monitoring Gulf’s recovery and protecting the long-term sustainability of local fisheries to ensure that American jobs are secure far into the future.
Awards will go to researchers and resource managers from 37 institutions including universities, federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations for 15 awarded projects. Of the 15, 13 are being led by institutions located in the Gulf of Mexico region.
In total, 78 researchers and resource managers will be involved, with 58 of them located in the region. The awards range from $231,671 to $2,312,275.