Gear Grant and Research Program Service

The National Marine Fisheries Service in Gloucester, Massachusetts, is seeking commercial lobster fishers to participate in an Exempted Fishing Permit program. This initiative allows the use of on-demand fishing gear within seasonal fixed gear closure areas during the 2026 season. The agency is implementing this program to research and test alternative gear technologies that mitigate risks to protected marine species while allowing fishing activities to continue. Participants must acquire and utilize on-demand related equipment or technology that complies with the permit requirements. The scope of work requires fishers to provide a monthly questionnaire response detailing their experiences and data when conducting on-demand fishing operations. Performance of the work will take place offsite at the participants' respective fishing locations. Eligibility is strictly limited to onshore organizations based in the United States. The agency is currently looking for proposals and has not disclosed a specific budget limit for the gear grant and research program. Key dates and specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the initial solicitation, but interested parties must meet the core requirement of operating as commercial lobster fishers eligible for the Exempted Fishing Permit.