Inshore Lobster Trawl Survey Vessel Charter

NOTE: Due to COVID-19 the number of “Tows” could be reduced. The actual number of tows conducted will be at the discretion of the project authority.

1. Scope
   1. Title

Inshore Lobster Trawl Survey Vessel Charter

1. Objective

An annual lobster trawl survey is conducted in South Western Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) aboard a contracted commercial fishing vessel. Information collected during this survey contributes to one of the primary stock status indicators for lobster stock assessments in the area. The American Lobster fishery is one of the most socio-economically important fisheries in Canada for both indigenous and non-indigenous communities with an estimated value of $1.46 billion (2017) in the Atlantic Region (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/commercial/sea-maritimes-eng.htm). Landings from the Maritime Region contribute to a significant portion of this and are currently near all-time highs.

DFO requires the service of a vessel to use as the platform for this research. This vessel will carry a crew compliment of at least two members in addition to the captain, two scientific personnel (DFO staff and / or contractors) and one certified fisheries observer for a total of 6 people. The objective of the contract is the successful completion of approximately 150 stations in LFA 34 and 100 stations in LFAs 36 and 38 between June and August and approximately 50 stations in LFA 35 between September and October.

1. Contract Period

The vessel will have an initial contract period with an approximate start date of May 01, 2020 to April 30, 2021, with options to renew for four (4) additional 1 year periods at the sole discretion of DFO.

Optional periods if exercised will be from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022 (12 months), May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023 (12 months), May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024 (12 months) and May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 (12 months)

The project work will commence in June annually. Exact dates will be determined by the DFO scientist in-charge. These dates and the required working dates throughout will be contingent on operational considerations of the charter based on factors such as weather, vessel maintenance/repair requirements, etc. The contractor will be informed of the exact dates for the given year by the DFO scientist in-charge with a minimum notice of 2 weeks before the work commences annually.

1. Contract Area of Operation

The work will be conducted throughout Lobster Fishing Areas 34, 35, 36 and 38.

The vessel must be willing to berth at various ports in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick within the survey area.

1. Estimated Value / Level of Effort

An estimated usage is up to 400 stations at an estimated cost range of $900 to $1100 (+HST) per station. The contractor is paid based on the number of survey stations completed each year. The number of stations to be completed each year will be determined by DFO budget and will be communicated prior to the start of the in each year survey.

1. Background, Assumptions and Specific Scope of the Requirement

This lobster trawl survey has been completed annually in the Maritimes Region since 2013.