The U.S. 108th Congress approved the Hawaii Fisheries Disaster Appropriation (2003, PL 108-7) which provided $5 million to the State of Hawaii for economic assistance to fisheries affected by federal closures or fishing restrictions. Upon receipt of funding the State's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) established the Fisheries Disaster Relief Program (FDRP). Its key objective is to provide economic assistance to Hawaii's fishermen and fishing communities affected by federal closures or federally imposed fishing restrictions. The affected fisheries include Hawaii-based pelagic fisheries, bottomfish fisheries, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands lobster fisheries, and precious coral fisheries managed by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
In mid-2005, with a spending deadline looming over DLNR and FDRP funding not yet awarded, PFRP agreed to administer $3 million of the FDRP appropriation. A contract was executed between UH JIMAR and DLNR, and in late 2005 PFRP commenced with FDRP project administration. Requests for proposals were advertised throughout the state and letters of intent submitted for committee review. After a thorough review process by FDRP Executive Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups, 15 proposals were selected for funding. Projects got underway in late 2006 and are scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2008. The following is a list of projects funded, FY 2007 progress reports and final project reports (reports in PDF format).
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