NOAA AWARDS OVER $5.5 MILLION TO TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

NOAA AWARDS OVER $5.5 MILLION TO TEXAS
PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarding a grant of more than $5.5 million to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for support of the shrimping industry. NOAA is an agency of the Commerce Department.

This grant will fund the Texas disaster relief program, which will provide payments for direct assistance to the state’s commercial bay and gulf licensed shrimp fishermen. In addition, this grant will contribute to the Texas Shrimp Marketing Program. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages and conserves the natural and cultural resources of Texas and keeping hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation available for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

“We are constantly working to strengthen local and regional initiatives that support our fishery resources,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “These grants help sustain the Texas shrimp industry and actively support efforts that reinforce NOAA’s and the Bush Administration’s commitment to the fishing community.”

In fiscal year 2003, NOAA has awarded more than 475 grants totaling more than $204 million to members of the academic, scientific and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems in order to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property, and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 33 years.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.

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