NOAA awards Alaska grants

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded $20.1 million in grants to study and preserve Alaska's marine and fisheries resources.

The grants include $8.6 million to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for research and management efforts under the Pacific Salmon Treaty with Canada and other projects.

Seward Associates for the Advancement of Marine Science will receive $4.9 million to improve Steller sea lion data and information available to federal resource managers.

The University of Alaska's Cooperative Institute for Arctic Research will receive $3.6 million for projects in fisheries oceanography, hydrographic studies and sea ice dynamics, atmospheric research, climate dynamics, tsunami research, and environmental assessment.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council will receive $2.9 million in part to manage and protect Steller sea lions.

The Bering Sea Fishermen's Association will receive $146,500 to complete the Community Development Quota Database.