NOAA awards $5.4 million to assist threatened species recovery

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded US$5.4 million in grants to US states and coastal regions to help in the recovery of endangered and threatened marine species.

This year’s new projects are aimed at assisting the recovery of white abalone, and Atlantic salmon, as well as southern resident killer whales.

The funding supports management, research, and outreach efforts designed to bring vulnerable species to a point where endangered species act protections are no longer necessary.

Funding may also support monitoring of species under consideration for protection or species recently removed from the list of threatened or endangered species.

The awards include US$3.9 million for 17 new grants to 12 states and one federally recognised tribe.

The remaining funds will support seven continuing state projects and one continuing tribal project.