Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced Friday that the U.S. House of Representatives approved a conference report on the Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill that includes $1 million in funding for the Partnership for Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Science, Inc.

PMAFS is a multi-state, multi-institutional partnership (currently New York and New Jersey) research initiative that will address science issues limiting successful management of the summer flounder and black sea bass fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic region. PMAFS will utilize academic and recreational/commercial fisheries resources to develop targeted science initiatives. These initiatives will address the most urgent data limitations restricting improved management of summer flounder in the Mid-Atlantic.

“The summer flounder population is vitally important to the region,” said Pallone. “Reliable research is important to have, which will allow us to make the best-informed decisions about these populations.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for approval before being signed into law by the Presiden