Funding bids invited for fisheries research
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is inviting people with ideas to improve fisheries management to bid for funding towards their research.
Through the Fisheries Challenge Fund (FCF) funding is available to enable fishermen and other interested parties to get involved in research projects looking at fisheries management issues.
The funding is available to support all types of research and analysis which look at an issue currently facing part of the UK fishing industry and are consistent with the objective of achieving sustainable fisheries.
Projects sponsored by a university or government agency are particularly being sought, along with those which involve fishermen making vessel time available for research work or other similar stakeholder contribution. Priority will also be given to applications which look at providing effective practical support to regional advisory councils.
Proposals for projects to be funded for the 2012-13 financial year must be received by 24 February 2012. There is no specific timeframe, but preference will be given to short-term projects that can be completed by February 2013.
Philip Lynn from the Marine Management Organisation said "We're keen to hear from people who want to look at ways to make the fishing industry more sustainable.
"In previous rounds of the Fisheries Challenge Fund we’ve supported projects looking at lobster populations, acoustic deterrents and the production of a guide to help identify skates and rays, to name a few."
Application forms, and details of projects previously completed as part of the FCF scheme are available from www.marinemanagement.org.uk/fisheries/funding/fcf.htm.
For more information email fcf.queries@marinemanagement.org.uk.