Marine Turtle Conservation Fund

 

This program funds Marine Turtle and Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle (TFT) projects. Objectives of the Marine Turtle projects are to assist in the conservation of marine turtles and the nesting habitats of marine turtles in foreign countries by supporting and providing financial resources in the following areas: academic and technical training in the conservation and management of marine turtles; applied research on marine turtle populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring; conservation education and community outreach for the protection of nesting and near shore foraging populations; development and execution of marine turtle conservation management plans; habitat conservation and management; information exchange to promote international collaboration; projects to protect nesting females and eggs on important nesting beaches; promotion of networks, partnerships, and coalitions that assist in the implementation of conventions, treaties, protocols and other international activities for the conservation and management of marine turtles; protected area/reserve management of important nesting beaches; strengthening local capacity to implement conservation programs on nesting beaches; and strengthening law enforcement capacity and forensics skills through training and equipment. Tortoise and Freshwater Turtles (TFT) represent one of the most imperiled animal groups on earth. Of the world's 342 species of tortoises and freshwater turtles, more than half face the threat of extinction. Habitat loss and the legal and illegal trade of turtles and turtle products (for food, pets, and traditional medicines, etc.) continue to drive sharp declines in turtle populations globally. The USFWS TFT Conservation Fund aims to support conservation efforts that conserve populations and habitats of freshwater turtles and tortoises most at risk by addressing their threats.

Active 15.645 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2017 Program received 42 applications thus far, anticipates receiving another 40 applications, and anticipates issuing 40 awards. In FY17 the program received 87 applications and issued 52 awards.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY18 the program received 52 applications and issued 31 awards.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY19 the program received 96 applications and issued 26 awards.
Fiscal Year 2020 In FY20 the program anticipates receiving approximately 90 applications and issuing 25 awards.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY21 for Marine Turtle projects, the program received 68 applications and 41 proposals were recommended for funding. The program obligated 10 of the 41 awards this fiscal year.
Fiscal Year 2022 Program issued 46 awards funded by MTCA.
Fiscal Year 2023 Program anticipates obligating 14 existing multi-year awards funded by MTCA.
Fiscal Year 2024 Program anticipates obligating $3,500,000 by MTCA. Marine Turtle Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. §6601 et seq. Applications may be submitted by any government agency responsible for conservation and protection of marine turtles and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience in marine turtle conservation. Not applicable. Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The program announcement and application instructions for this program can be found at Grants.gov website http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do. The Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions are also located on this program's website at https://www.fws.gov/international/grants-and-reporting/how-to-apply.html. If you are unable to access the Internet, hard copies are available upon request from the Branch of Near East, South Asia & Africa, Division of International Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. A proposal will not be considered complete if required elements are not submitted as instructed. U.S. applicants must submit (among other elements) a complete, signed Standard Form 424 "Application for Federal Assistance." Projects are reviewed and competitively selected for funding using criteria developed on the requirements of the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-266). Review criteria can be found in the application information at http://www.fws.gov/international/grants-and-reporting/how-to-apply.html. Once a proposal has been selected for funding, an FWS approving official executes an Assistance Award between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Recipient. Fully executed Awards are sent to the Recipient either electronically or through the mail. The Division of International Conservation then administers all other aspects of the Assistance Award. April 12, 2021 Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 120 to 180 days. Not applicable. Not applicable. Proposals will be reviewed based on criteria developed from the requirements of the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund (Public Law 108-266). Additional details on the selection criteria can be found in the Marine Turtle Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions http://www.fws.gov/international/grants-and-reporting/how-to-apply.html. Hard copies of the criteria are available upon request from the Division of International Conservation. Project work should occur in foreign countries (outside of the United States) that have within their boundaries marine turtle nesting habitats and be conducted by any person or group with the demonstrated expertise required for the conservation of marine turtles. Applied research projects should address specific management needs and actions. Funds provided under this program will not be used for: the purchase of firearms or ammunitions; buying of intelligence information or paying informants; gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity; law enforcement operations that prompt suspects to carry out illegal activities so they may be arrested (entrapment); or any activity that would circumvent sanctions, laws or regulations of either the U.S. or the country in which the activity would occur. Funds may not be used to provide material support or resources to individuals, entities, or organizations of countries that have been identified by the U.S. Department of State as state sponsors of terrorism. The countries currently identified are: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. This program is administered in compliance with the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977, as amended. These funds may not be used towards training U.S. Federal Government personnel. Performance Reports: Performance reports are required. Recipients must monitor and report on project performance in accordance with the requirements in 2 CFR 200.329. A final performance report is due within 120 calendar days of the award period of performance end date, unless the awarding program approves a due date extension. The FWS details all reporting requirements including frequency and due dates in Notices of Award. Not applicable. Recipients will maintain records in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Program-specific legislation/regulation may dictate additional records retention requirements. Program will detail all non-standard records retention requirements in the notice of award. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Assistance is available from the start date of the period of performance to the end date of the period of performance. Funding must be spent within 90 days of the end date of the period of performance. Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award. None/Not specified. Chief,
Division of International Conservation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: IA

Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 US
mscf_marineturtle@fws.gov
Phone: (703) 358-1754
Fax: (703) 358-2115. https://www.fws.gov/service/latin-america-regional-grant-program 14-1652-0-1-302 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$2,900,000.00; FY 23 est $3,900,000.00; FY 24 est $3,499,999.00; FY 21$3,220,000.00; FY 20$2,666,250.00; FY 19$2,719,623.00; FY 18$2,341,095.00; FY 17$2,203,383.00; - Variable amounts. Generally $50,000 or less. Higher amounts may be requested. Acceptance of a grant or cooperative agreement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions of award. Service Award Terms and Conditions are available at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service. Awards from the Service are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. The Service financial assistance award terms and conditions flow down to subrecipients and contractors, unless a particular award term or condition specifically indicates otherwise. Fiscal Year 2017 Program has not yet selected projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects that are effective for the long-term conservation of marine turtles, and those that are similar in scope to FY 2016. The program supported: 1) A project for Leatherback & Hawksbill turtle research and population recovery in Panama; 2) a project to reduce Eastern Pacific Leatherback Bycatch in the Tuna Fisheries of the Eastern Tropical Pacific; 3) a project to combat Marine Turtle Trade in Vietnam.
Fiscal Year 2018 The program supported: 1) a project to support Rapid Nesting and Threats Assessments for the Recovery of Hawksbill Nesting in the Gulf of Thailand; 2) a project to strengthen regional sea turtle conservation through the support of Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC); 3) a project to support community based Efforts to Evaluate Intentional and Unintentional Sea Turtles Catch in Local Fisheries along the Mauritanian Coastline.
Fiscal Year 2019 The program supported: 1) Marine turtle monitoring and protection in the republic of Congo; 2) Sea turtle conservation in equatorial guinea; 3) Population recovery of leatherback sea turtle (dermochelys coriacea) in Michoacán.
Fiscal Year 2020 The program anticipates funding projects that promote the conservation of marine turtles and their habitats.
Fiscal Year 2021 Example Marine Turtle projects include: 1. A project to develop a community-based conservation program to protect sea turtle nesting by: (1) conducting community based daily surveys on the nesting beach during the nesting season; (2) implementing outreach and education campaigns in schools and with fisherman; and (3) working with local hotels, tourist guides and the regional government to support economic and social development for local communities and alternative livelihoods to turtle harvesting. 2. A project to protect important loggerhead foraging populations in the water and remnant sea turtle nesting populations by; (1) working with fisherman and direct observers to assess and mitigate sea turtle bycatch in fisheries (trawl, seine and longline); and (2) carrying-out outreach and education campaigns in schools and universities, and (3) conducting daily sea turtle monitoring to protect nests. 3. A project to support conservation efforts of the sea turtle nesting population through surveys to monitor nesting population trends and address nesting beach threats such as beach driving, light pollution and nesting beach trash and abandoned fishing nets by (1) implementing standardized nesting beach surveys along the entire nesting beach;(2) conducting community/municipal beach cleanup and two fishing net cleanups each year; and (3) conducting outreach and education campaigns with the community and general public. 4. A project to develop a sea turtle conservation program to address fisheries bycatch issues near the main loggerhead and green turtle nesting beaches by (1) gathering information on fishing operations, gear and sea turtle captures (2) determine main fishing areas and “hotspots;” (3) testing sea turtle bycatch reduction technologies; (4) implementing an awareness and outreach campaign for safe release and handling of turtles accidently captured in net, trawl or long line fisheries. 5. A project to protect the nesting population from poaching and nest depredation from various predators such as dogs, hogs, and mongoose by (1) conducting intensive monitoring and protection of sea turtles at key nesting beaches using standardized protocols and with local community monitors; (2) conduct community environmental outreach activities; and (3) work with communities to resolve depredation problems. 6. A project to reduce the bycatch of sea turtles on their foraging grounds by (1) conducting outreach and education with fishers for safe handling and release of accidentally caught turtles; (2) conducting shipboard surveys to obtain current high areas of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and ghost fishing; and (3) work with fisherman and government agencies to reduce sea turtle bycatch and mortality. 7. A project to implement a conservation program that will contribute to the recovery of the sea turtle population by (1) community-based nesting surveys to deter illegal poaching of nesting females and eggs, (2) monitor the beaches to count nests and maintain a long-term monitoring effort to determine population trends. Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle funding was not available through this program in FY21.
Fiscal Year 2022 1) The purpose of this project is to reduce the illegal sale and trafficking of meat from several species of endangered softshell species by (1) conducting interviews with stakeholders and synthesizing and analyzing these data and ten years of seizure data to inform planned activities, and 2) conducting demand reduction activities through design and implementation of a behavior change campaign. 2) The purpose of the project is to develop a community-based conservation program to protect sea turtle nesting by: (1) conducting community based daily surveys on the nesting beach during the nesting season; (2) implementing outreach and education campaigns in schools and with fisherman; and (3) working with local hotels, tourist guides and the regional government to support economic and social development for local communities and alternative livelihoods to turtle harvesting. 3) The purpose of this project is to implement conservation activities to address threats from illegal fishing, collection for the illegal pet trade, and sand mining, among others, to one the few remaining wild populations by (1) recruiting community members to assist with in-situ nest surveillance; (2) tracking turtle dispersal, habitat use and survival of released turtles to inform conservation efforts; and (3) conducting an awareness program focused on key communities close to important nesting beaches to increase community support. 4) The purpose of this project is to develop a sea turtle conservation program to address fisheries bycatch issues near the main loggerhead and green turtle nesting beaches by (1) gathering information on fishing operations, gear and sea turtle captures (2) determine main fishing areas and “hotspots;” (3) testing sea turtle bycatch reduction technologies; (4) implementing an awareness and outreach campaign for safe release and handling of turtles accidently captured in net, trawl or long line fisheries. 5) The purpose of this project is to implement conservation activities in collaboration with local communities to protect the freshwater turtle species by (1) building the capacity of the indigenous people in freshwater turtle conservation practices; (2) protecting river and riverine habitat for nesting, foraging and mating of this species; and (3) monitoring riverside nesting zones to protect against illegal trafficking of the turtle species.
Fiscal Year 2023 1. The purpose of the project is to develop a community-based conservation program to protect sea turtle nesting by: (1) conducting community based daily surveys on the nesting beach during the nesting season; (2) implementing outreach and education campaigns in schools and with fisherman; and (3) working with local hotels, tourist guides and the regional government to support economic and social development for local communities and alternative livelihoods to turtle harvesting. 2. The purpose of this project is to help conserve the species likely extinct in the wild due to trafficking for the pet trade and habitat loss and deterioration of its native lake habitat by (1) developing a management plan with stakeholders for restoration of lake habitat and reestablishment of wild populations; (2) reassessing the readiness of three potential release sites, and (3) conducting the first release trials. 3. The purpose of the project is to develop a community-based conservation program to protect sea turtle nesting by: (1) conducting community based daily surveys on the nesting beach during the nesting season; (2) implementing outreach and education campaigns in schools and with fisherman; and (3) working with local hotels, tourist guides and the regional government to support economic and social development for local communities and alternative livelihoods to turtle harvesting. 4. The purpose of this project is to implement conservation programs to reduce the demand for tortoises and freshwater turtles (TFT) for food, medicine and pets within the world’s largest consumer of illegal TFT by (1) building the capacity to support TFT conservation and monitoring; (2) improving training materials for customs agents and other relevant personnel in priority areas in order to bolster their surveillance capacity; and (4) working with Behavioral Insights Team (a leading organization that generates behavioral insights for social change) to design and conduct a demand reduction campaign targeting specific populations in locations of high TFT trade. 5. The purpose of the project is to develop a community-based conservation program to protect sea turtle nesting by: (1) conducting community based daily surveys on the nesting beach during the nesting season; (2) implementing outreach and education campaigns in schools and with fisherman; and (3) working with local hotels, tourist guides and the regional government to support economic and social development for local communities and alternative livelihoods to turtle harvesting.
Fiscal Year 2024 Program has not yet selected projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects that are similar to the following: 1. The purpose of this project is to reduce the illegal sale and trafficking of meat from several species of endangered softshell species by (1) conducting interviews with stakeholders and synthesizing and analyzing these data and ten years of seizure data to inform planned activities, and 2) conducting demand reduction activities through design and implementation of a behavior change campaign. 2. The purpose of the project is to develop a community-based conservation program to protect sea turtle nesting by: (1) conducting community based daily surveys on the nesting beach during the nesting season; (2) implementing outreach and education campaigns in schools and with fisherman; and (3) working with local hotels, tourist guides and the regional government to support economic and social development for local communities and alternative livelihoods to turtle harvesting. 3. The purpose of this project is to implement conservation activities to address threats from illegal fishing, collection for the illegal pet trade, and sand mining, among others, to one the few remaining wild populations by (1) recruiting community members to assist with in-situ nest surveillance; (2) tracking turtle dispersal, habitat use and survival of released turtles to inform conservation efforts; and (3) conducting an awareness program focused on key communities close to important nesting beaches to increase community support. 4. The purpose of the project is to develop a community-based conservation program to protect sea turtle nesting by: (1) conducting community based daily surveys on the nesting beach during the nesting season; (2) implementing outreach and education campaigns in schools and with fisherman; and (3) working with local hotels, tourist guides and the regional government to support economic and social development for local communities and alternative livelihoods to turtle harvesting. 5. The purpose of this project is to implement conservation activities in collaboration with local communities to protect the freshwater turtle species by (1) building the capacity of the indigenous people in freshwater turtle conservation practices; (2) protecting river and riverine habitat for nesting, foraging, and mating of this species; and (3) monitoring riverside nesting zones to protect against illegal trafficking of the turtle species.