Wins NOAA Research Grant

Stony Brook University has received a nearly $170,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support marine science and fisheries research. The money will be used to improve management of protected species of fish and marine mammals within what is called the Northeast United States Large Marine Ecosystem.

The grant will support the use of state-of-the-art climate models to develop tools to assist the commercial fishing industry in reducing bycatch of marine mammals and fish in long-line and midwater trawl fisheries, according to a statement by Lesley Thorne, a Stony Brook University assistant professor. This, Dr. Thorne said, will increase the efficiency and profitability of marine harvests.

Representative Lee Zeldin, who serves New York’s First Congressional District, announced the grant on Friday. “Stony Brook University is a world leader in groundbreaking scientific research,” he said in a statement, “and I am pleased to announce that this funding has been awarded to support their amazing work.” The grant, he said, “will be used to improve decision making pertaining to the management of fish and aquatic wildlife. Fishing is incredibly important to our life, culture, and economy here on Long Island, and as part of this community we must do all we can to support this historic tradition.