Research Set-Aside (RSA) programs are unique to federal fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region. No Federal funds are provided to support the research. Instead, research funds are generated through the sale of set-aside allocations for quota managed or days-at-sea (DAS) managed fisheries. There are active RSA programs established under the Atlantic Sea Scallop, Atlantic Herring, and Monkfish Fishery Management Plans.
The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) set aside quota or DAS, which is awarded through a competitive grant process managed by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Money generated by the sale of the awarded RSA quota or DAS fund the proposed research.
RSA projects are selected through a competitive grants process, with priorities established by the Councils. Solicitations for RSA proposals are posted at Grants.gov, and distributed widely through Councils' and other NOAA Fisheries public relations channels.
RSA Programs have a demonstrated track record for supporting applied research to inform fishery management decisions and improve stock assessments.
Current Research Focus
Sea Scallop
We support research into the following topics:
- Industry-based surveys of access areas
- Sea scallop biology
- Loggerhead sea turtle population information and bycatch avoidance
- General research on sea scallop recruitment, bycatch, and commercial dredge gear
Monkfish
We are interested in research that explores:
- Life history
- Stock definition
- Ecological significance
- Bycatch and discard
- Trawl and gillnet gear technologies to improve selectivity and reduce discard
News and Announcements
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2024 Sea Scallop RSA Call for Proposals, deadline August 23, 2023
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2023-2024 Monkfish Research Set-Aside Project Recommendations
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Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Projects Selected for 2023-2024
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2023 Monkfish RSA Call for Proposals, deadline April 10, 2023
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Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Projects Selected for 2022–2023
- 2021-2022 Sea Scallop RSA Awards Announced
- NEFMC and NOAA Fisheries Recognize Successful 2020 Scallop RSA Survey Season
- 2020 Scallop RSA Share Day reports and presentations - New England Fishery Management Council
- 2020-2021 Sea Scallop and Monkfish Awards Announced
