Pacific Herring Survey off the British Columbia Coast

1.0 Scope

1. 1 Title

Pacific Herring Survey off the British Columbia Coast

1.2 Contracting Period

Contract Award through to November 30, 2018 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, 2018 through to November 30, 2019.

Project work to take place between January and May including option year if 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 $1,359,000.00 in 2018 and $1,386,200 in 2019 (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.

2.0 Requirements

The Contractor shall carry out the Pacific Herring stock assessment survey to conduct assessments of herring egg deposition and obtain biological samples on (up to, as needed) all spawning grounds in support of stock assessment.

The dive and surface surveys of herring spawn will be conducted in the areas indicated in List of Activities – Part A and the collection of biological samples from pre-spawning aggregations of Pacific Herring stocks will be conducted in the areas indicated in List of Activities – Part A.