Research Set-Aside Programs

Unique to the New England/Greater Atlantic region, Research Set-Aside Programs have a demonstrated track record for supporting applied research that informs fishery management decisions and improves stock assessments.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Larry Alade holding a goosefish with it's mouth open over blue bins.

Research Set-Aside (RSA) programs are unique to federal fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region. No Federal funds are provided to support the research. Instead, research funds are generated through the sale of set-aside allocations for quota managed or days-at-sea (DAS) managed fisheries. There are active RSA programs established under the Atlantic Sea Scallop, Atlantic Herring, and Monkfish Fishery Management Plans.

The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) set aside quota or DAS, which is awarded through a competitive grant process managed by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Money generated by the sale of the awarded RSA quota or DAS fund the proposed research.

RSA projects are selected through a competitive grants process, with priorities established by the Councils. Solicitations for RSA proposals are posted at Grants.gov, and distributed widely through Councils' and other NOAA Fisheries public relations channels.

RSA Programs have a demonstrated track record for supporting applied research to inform fishery management decisions and improve stock assessments.

Current Research Focus

Sea Scallop

We support research into the following topics:

Industry-based surveys of access areas
Sea scallop biology
Loggerhead sea turtle population information and bycatch avoidance
General research on sea scallop recruitment, bycatch, and commercial dredge gear