For more information on the North Pacific Research Board, its programs,
and, specifically, this marine science program, please contact:
Dr. Clarence Pautzke, Executive Director
North Pacific Research Board
Phone: 907/278-6772
Fax: 907/276-7178
Email: clarence.pautzke [at] noaa.gov
PROPOSALS DUE: 12 April 2002
NPRB News Release
27 March 2002
North Pacific Research Board Launches Marine Science Program
The North Pacific Research Board (the Board) held its first full meeting
on 21-22 March 2002, in Anchorage, to consider marine fisheries and
ecosystems research for 2002 and 2003. The twenty-member Board was
created by Congress to recommend marine research off Alaska to the U.S.
Secretary of Commerce, who makes final funding decisions. Research is
funded by part of the interest earned by the Environmental Improvement
and Restoration Fund (EIRF) which Congress established in 1997.
"Our challenge is to develop a comprehensive science program of the
highest caliber to enhance our understanding of the North Pacific,
Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean ecosystems and fisheries," said newly
elected chairman, David Benton. "We are forever indebted to Senator Ted
Stevens for his long-range vision in establishing the Board and
supporting marine ecosystems and fisheries research off Alaska."
Mr. Benton lives in Juneau and also chairs the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council. Tylan Schrock was elected Vice-Chairman, and directs
the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward.
On March 8th the Board released its first request for proposals (RFP),
with a funding level of about $1.5 million for marine research in 2002.
Priority issues include fish habitat, ecosystems dynamics, endangered
and stressed species, reduction in fishing capacity and bycatch, salmon
dynamics, fish stock assessment and ecology, and contaminants. The full
RFP and application package may be viewed at:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/nprb/rfp.htm
Proposals are due 12 April 2002.
Next, the Board will begin planning a major science program for 2003,
when over $10 million is expected to be available to support marine
research off Alaska.
In the meantime, the Board is supporting five research projects needing
another year of funding. They were supported initially in 1999 by the
North Pacific Marine Research program at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks. Projects include building a database of Bering Sea research,
observation and tagging of right whales, two projects on nutrient flow
onto the Bering Sea continental shelf, and continuous plankton samplers
deployed on various merchant ships of opportunity traversing the North
Pacific.
The Board also will support around $800,000 in education and
demonstration projects led by the Alaska SeaLife Center. The projects
are designed to explain marine research to the public, especially
budding young scientists in schools throughout Alaska.
The Board will meet next on 3-4 June 2002, in Anchorage. For more
information, please contact Dr. Clarence Pautzke, Executive Director, at
907/278-6772.
North Pacific Research Board contact information:
David Benton, Chairman
Tylan Schrock, Vice Chairman
Clarence Pautzke, Executive Director
441 West 5th Avenue, Suite 500
Anchorage, AK 99501-2340
Phone: 907/278-6772 Fax: 907/276-7178