Pacific Herring Survey off the British Columbia Coast

Scope

1. 1 Title

Pacific Herring Survey off the British Columbia Coast

1.2 Contracting Period

Contract Award through to November 30, 2020 with the possibility of one (1) additional option year, at the discretion of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Option year if exercised will be December 1, 2020 through to November 30, 2021.

Project work to take place between January and May 2020 and January and May 2021 if option year is exercised

1.3 Introduction

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada intends to conduct a data collection program for Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasi) covering the five major and two minor assessment regions on the British Columbia coast.

1.4 Estimated Value

The total value of any contract emanating from this RFP shall not exceed $1,400,000.00 in 2020 and $1,400,000.00 in 2021 (excluding applicable taxes), and must include all survey costs associated with vessel, crew, transportation, fuel, travel, living expenses, and research activities.

1.5 Objectives of the Requirement

Two objectives for the Pacific Herring Survey program are as follows:

Objective #1 is to measure herring spawn deposition (eggs) through SCUBA dive surveys or surface surveys (as described below) in some or all (as needed) of the five major stock assessment regions (Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert District, Central Coast, Strait of Georgia and the West Coast of Vancouver Island) and two minor regions (Area 2W and Area 27);

Objective #2 is to obtain biological samples from pre-spawning aggregations of Pacific Herring using purse seine vessels in some or all (as needed) of the following major stock assessment regions: Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert District, Central Coast, Strait of Georgia and the West Coast of Vancouver Island, and minor region Area 2W. DFO Science uses data from these programs in the annual stock assessment process for Pacific Herring.

1.6 Background, Assumptions and Specific Scope of the Requirement

DFO Science assesses British Columbia Pacific Herring stocks annually. Stock assessment uses an age-structured assessment model requiring annual updates of proportions at age, weight at age, and spawn survey data. Data collected through the Pacific Herring Survey Program, described in this Statement of Work are used by stock assessment scientists to assess the biomass of herring stocks, and provide annual biomass forecasts to Fisheries Management, information which is then used in the annual Integrated Fisheries Management Plan process for BC Pacific Herring.