S-K Program

For FY 1997, the S-K Program received only a small appropriation (about $380,000) from Congress. This amount is inadequate to conduct a competitive solicitation and provide grant awards. In FY 1996 the appropriation was $9.8 million, and in FY 1995, $9.25 million. The Administration's request for FY 1998 is $4 million, which of course is subject to modification by the Congress as it goes through its budget process.

NMFS has received guidance from their legal staff that they may solicit applications in FY 1997 contingent on an appropriation in FY 1998. In other words, they can conduct the administrative process for the program, including publishing a solicitation notice in the Federal Register, receiving and reviewing proposals, and developing funding recommendations. However, awards would only be made if Congress appropriates funds for S-K in FY 1998, and this would be stated in the notice. If funds are appropriated, awards could be processed after October 1, 1997.

NMFS recently concluded their process for the FY 1996 S-K Program and have made funding recommendations for the following listed aquaculture-related projects. The awards must undergo administrative clearance and successful grant negotiation before work on the projects begins. The amounts indicated for projects may change as a result of these negotiations. In response to FY 1996 solicitation for S-K grant application, 339 applications were received, requesting about $45.5 million. Seventy-six applications were recommended for funding, totaling $8,575,226.00

The following is a listing of FY 1996 S-K Aquaculture-Related Applications Recommended for Funding

Project Title/Recipient/Federal Funding Nori Cultivation: Physiological Ecology of Native Alaskan Porphyra Species. University of Alaska Southeast
$151,351.00

Enhancement of Recruitment of Soft-Shell Clam (Mya arenaria)
MER Assessment Corporation
$29,823.00

Development of Commercial Aquaculture of Black Sea Bass
University of Rhode Island
$99,385.00

Toward Sustainable Aquacultural Production Systems: Promoting Optimum Media for Nitrifying Bacteria in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Purdue University
$120,700.00

Optimization and Clearance Studies of a New Hormone-Based Spawning Induction Technology for Aquacultured Finfish
UMBI
$132,546.00

To Investigate Culture Technique to Rear Fingerling-sized Atlantic Cod and Larval Fingerling-sized Haddock for Use in Production Aquaculture and for Use in a Public Restoration Project to Study the Efficacy of Restoring Natural Cod Stocks in the Gulf of ME
University of Maine
$477,773.00

Development of an Integrated Aquaculture and Sea Ranching System for the Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) in the Gulf of Maine
University of New Hampshire
$165,720.00


Optimum Design of a Water Recirculating System for Shellfish Depuration (and Wet Storage)
Washington State University
$98,820.00

Application of Nutritional Strategies for the Development of Low Pollution Feeds for Marine Species
University of Texas at Austin
$70,625.00

An Analytical Method for Predicting Potential Spread of Exotic Species from Aquaculture and Aquatic Research Facilities in Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
$54,234.00

The Hawaiian Pearl Oyster Partnership: A Public-Private Initiative for Commercial Pearl Farming, and a Test Case of Ocean Leasing Laws
Black Pearls, Inc.
$99,540.00

Commercialization of White Seabass Aquaculture, Pilot Program Out-grow to Market
Hubbs - Sea World Research Institute
$208,982.00

Critical Control Limits, Infective Dose, and Prevalence of Pathogenic Vibrio Species in Shellfish Products
University of Florida
$95,660.00

Hard Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) Mariculture in U.S. Waters: Evaluating the Effects of Large-scale Field Outgrowth Practices on Clam Growth, Nutrition, and Inshore Estuarine Creek Communities
S.C. Department of Natural Resources
$138,570.00

Using an Innovative Technique to Assess Fecal Contamination in
Estuarine Waters and Shellfish
California State University Foundation
$39,613.00