Oceanic Fish Restoration Project
Implementing Organization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$20,000,000
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Species Restoration
Targeted Resources
Fish/Fish Habitats
Project Description
The Oceanic Fish Restoration Project (OFRP), previously named the Pelagic Longline Bycatch Reduction Project in the Final Phase IV Early Restoration Plan, is being implemented as a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pelagic fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to restore pelagic fish biomass through actions that are expected to reduce fish mortality from bycatch and regulatory discards in the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline (PLL) fishery operating in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM; referred to as the GOM PLL fishery). The GOM PLL fishery primarily targets yellowfin tuna and swordfish, but incidentally catches and discards other fish, including bluefin tuna (which, by regulation, is not a target of fisheries in the GOM), marlin, sharks, and smaller individuals of the target species. The project will compensate PLL permitted vessel owners who agree to voluntarily refrain from PLL fishing in the GOM during an annual six-month repose period that coincides with the bluefin tuna spawning season. The project will also provide participating vessel owners with alternative gear types to allow for the continued harvest of yellowfin tuna and swordfish during the repose period when PLL gear is not used.
Contact
Amy Piko(727) 551-5717
amy.piko@noaa.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/