Subject: Florida Manatee Avoidance Technology Program to seek sonar proposals
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:44:44 -0500
From: avoidancetech <>
To Interested Parties:
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Florida Manatee Avoidance Technology (FMAT) program expects during the fiscal year 2007-08 to seek pre-proposals for grants. These grants are to be awarded through the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute's (FWRI) Grants Program. The grants will be for projects related to the use of sonar-based techniques to reduce watercraft collisions with manatees.
Pre-proposals are expected to be due by mid- to late-June 2007. The FWRI Grants
Program process is designed to allow FWC to target technology projects that
will meet research and management needs related to reducing collisions between
manatees and watercraft. FWC has identified a specific need to evaluate the use
of sonar to mitigate manatee-boat interactions. A broad range of persons,
institutions, and agencies are eligible to receive grants including, but not
limited to: state agencies; local, county, state, and federal research
entities; public universities, and independent non-profit colleges or
universities especially those located within Florida and accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; as well as non-profit
organizations with scientific, environmental, or natural resource missions.
Persons interested in submitting sonar proposals are required to have permits
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to conduct sonar work on manatees. Obtaining
this permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could take a minimum of six
months. Funding for sonar testing will not be provided until permits are
obtained.
It is expected that a total of $130,000 will be available for sonar projects for the
upcoming year. This funding and funding for subsequent years is contingent upon
continued appropriations for the program. Matching funds are not required; however,
they are encouraged in order to maximize the value of state funds. FWRI anticipates
requesting full proposals from selected pre-proposals in late July 2007 and executing
grant agreements after August 1, 2007. Please monitor the FWRI Web site at:
research.myfwc.com for more information. Questions should be sent by e-mail to
<> .
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Kat Frisch
Biological Scientist I
Marine Mammals
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
100 8th Ave SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-896-8626
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