Division of Marine Fisheries Director Steve Murphey has decided not to issue a request for proposals for new Coastal Recreational Fishing License grants for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The decision is due to several factors, including division funding priorities such as important division resource and habitat sampling and enhancement programs for the upcoming fiscal year, the need to ensure the continuance of currently funded grant projects, and the unknown implications of COVID-19 on Coastal Recreational Fishing License sales. The decision was made under established procedures that specify that the director of the Division of Marine Fisheries will decide each year if funds are available to warrant a request for proposals from external entities. The Division of Marine Fisheries will reassess its research needs and outreach opportunities to determine the need for specific project requests at a later date. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Botinovch at Jamie.Botinovch@ncdenr.gov or 252-808-8004. | 
