Fishing Vessel, Captain and Crew required for Annual Scallop Assessment Survey- Scallop Production Areas 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Scientific assessment surveys for Scallop Production Areas (SPA) 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 take place annually, between June and September.  These surveys provide information on the abundance, size and age composition, growth and spatial distribution of scallops as well as data on the other species of fish and invertebrates caught in the drag.  Data obtained from the surveys are the source of fishery independent data for the scallop stock assessment and advice.

The objective of the contract is the successful completion of one tow per station, up to a maximum of 800 stations, over a period of 34 sea days in 2015, using survey scallop gear supplied by DFO, so that Fisheries and Oceans Canada representatives may sample scallops and other invertebrate species for the stock status s indices, and keep them for subsequent biological studies if required.

Requirements

Tasks, Activities, Deliverables and Milestones

The Contractor will provide a vessel that has a workspace in the wheelhouse for set up of scientific computers and equipment, with a secondary GPS feed.  The vessel must have covered deck workspace for 2 or 3 scientific personnel to count; measure and sample catch from each tow.  The scientist in-charge and one additional science personnel will be onboard for all 34 sea days

The Work consists of successful completion of one tow per station, up to a maximum of 800 stations, over a period of 34 sea days in 2015, using survey scallop gear supplied by DFO, so that the Fisheries and Oceans Canada representatives may sample scallops and other invertebrate species for the stock status studies, and keep them for subsequent biological studies if required.

The work at each station will be considered complete when a tow has been successfully completed according to established protocols and all data recorded (the success will be determined by the DFO scientist-in charge onboard).  The required data consists of;

-An electronic log of the tow track, and distance coefficient
-Start and end position, depth, tow direction, tide cycle and volume of catch
-Shell height frequency of scallops caught in the lined and unlined drags of the gear
-A biological sample of scallops if deemed appropriate by the DFO scientist onboard
-Sex and length measurements of all lobster, and octopus caught
-Length measurements of all commercial fish species

Note: A typical work day may be from 8 to 18 hours a day with the vessel staying at sea for up to ninety-six (96) hours.