VIMS

Proposals sought for Virginia Fishery Resource Grants

Watermen invited to attend workshops, submit proposals for funds through Fishery Resource Grant Program

The Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program is now accepting applications for funding as part of the Virginia Fishery Resource Grant Program (VFRGP). All grant applications must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

Those interested in learning more about the grant and how to put together an application are invited to attend one of two workshops. The first workshop will be held Tuesday, December 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Director's Conference Room at Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point, Va. The second workshop will be held Thursday, December 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Library at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science's Eastern Shore Laboratory at Wachapreague, Va.

The Fishery Resource Grant Program was created by the Virginia Legislature to "protect and enhance the Commonwealth's coastal fishery resource through the awarding of grants."

Basic to the program is the belief that people in the commercial fishing industry often have valid ideas to enhance and protect fisheries, but may lack the financial resources to experiment with innovations. The Fishery Resource Grant Program invests in such ideas generated by the fishing public through fair and competitive methods.

Funding may be used to develop

  1. new fisheries equipment and gear,
  2. environmental pilot studies,
  3. aquaculture/mariculture, and
  4. seafood technology and utilization.

The Request for Proposal and application materials are available on the web at http://www.vims.edu/adv/frg. Individuals without web access can contact Dianne Roberts at 804-684-7173. No registration is necessary to attend either workshop.