FWS-DIC-MSCF-MT2012

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The Marine Turtle Conservation Fund is soliciting proposals for the conservation of marine turtles (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, Eretmochelys imbricata, Lepidochelys olivacea, Lepidochelys kempii) throughout their range outside of the United States and its territories. The U.S. Government enacted the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund of 2004 in response to the decline of many marine turtle populations worldwide and the serious threats to the long term survival of marine turtle populations. The primary purpose of the Act is to provide financial support for projects that conserve nesting populations and habitat and address other threats to the survival of marine turtles in foreign countries. The Marine Turtle Conservation Fund supports projects that promote the conservation of marine turtles by focusing on: 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. Applicant organizations should be conducting project work directly on populations occurring outside the United States, or the results of research should have direct bearing on and benefits to marine turtle populations outside the United States. Applied research projects should address specific management needs and actions, and threats from emerging issues -such as disease and climate change - that affect the species and their habitats.

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