Announcement of Availability of Funds
North Pacific Marine Research Initiative
PROPOSALS DUE: 22 April 1999
Web address for complete announcement: http://www.ims.uaf.edu:8000/NPMR
INTRODUCTION
The University of Alaska announces an opportunity for basic marine research
in the North Pacific Ocean, with emphasis on the Bering Sea and adjacent
waters. This announcement solicits proposals for retrospective studies,
field studies (monitoring and process studies), observational systems or
routines, remote sensing, and modeling, beginning on 1 July 1999. Further
information is presented below, and also in the interagency Bering Sea
Research Plan of September 1998 available on the world wide web at
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/bering/pages/inter-agency. The deadline for
proposals is 22 April 1999, and the final decision on awards will be made
by 1 June 1999.
BACKGROUND
The northern North Pacific Ocean is among the most productive marine
regions in the world, as evidenced by the large populations of marine fish,
birds and mammals. This productivity is critical to the U.S. economy in
that fish and shellfish from the regions constitute more than 10% of the
world and 40% of the U.S. fisheries harvest. The entire region is, however,
showing signs of change-from the primary productivity level through
multiple trophic levels, including fish stocks and marine mammals.
Recently, such change has been especially dramatic in the Bering Sea, with
spectacular declines in some marine mammal and bird populations. During the
past two years, there was a catastrophic decline in some salmon species
returns in Western Alaska. The Bering Sea lies between the North Pacific
and Arctic Oceans, and is the world's third largest semi-enclosed sea. It
is a hydrographically complex system, and it is important to understand its
dynamics in order to assess the role and effects of long-term change. In
this regard, the September 1998 Bering Sea Plan provides examples of
studies needed, as well as some essential background information. Since the
Gulf of Alaska is also facing changes in productivity and, probably,
carrying capacity at the upper trophic levels, projects in this area will
also be considered.
The goal of this program is to increase understanding of the Bering Sea and
adjacent waters, with the ultimate aim of developing predictive ability for
ecological responses to natural and human-induced impacts. The program
seeks and encourages high quality proposals which promise long-term results
as well as those with more immediate applicability.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information check the complete announcement at
http://www.ims.uaf.edu:8000/NPMR. Questions may be addressed to Maggie
Billington at 907.474.7707, fax: 907.474.7204, or e-mail:
maggie [at] ims.uaf.edu.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION ADDRESS
North Pacific Marine Research Program
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
245 O'Neill Building
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220