PSMFC Marine Aquaculture Pilot Projects

The geographic scope of the proposed projects is for the U.S. West Coast states of Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington, as well as Hawaii and U. S. Pacific Islands. The primary location of the proposed projects must be in the marine waters/estuarine environment. Some examples of the types of pilot projects to advance the potential development and implementation of developing, validating and deploying economically and environmentally sustainable aquatic farming techniques and regional business practices to grow U. S. domestic seafood production are as follows:

• Planning work for programmatic permitting development.
• Seaweed, sea cucumber, fish and shellfish (other than oyster) farming.
• Farming of shellfish species new to aquaculture in the region such as native clams, purple hinge rock scallop, seaweeds, etc.
• Food safety certification of seafood farmed in federal waters.
• Genetic selection and work for shellfish (other than oyster) related to adaptation/mitigation of ocean acidification.

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission will be issuing $690,000 in grants to qualified projects. Individual proposals should not exceed $125,000 or be less than $50,000.

Deadline for submissions is December 27, 2019. To view the full request for proposals visit the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.