Chartering of a fishing vessel for catching herring during the acoustic survey in NAFO Divisions 4R and 4Sw

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT (NPP)

Solicitation No.: F5211-190434

Contracting Authority:  ROGER LEBLANC

Telephone No.: 506-447-2596

Fax No.: 506-452-3676

E-mail Address: DFOtenders-soumissionsMPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

TITLE: Chartering of a fishing vessel for catching herring during the acoustic survey in NAFO Divisions 4R and 4Sw

TRADE AGREEMENTS: CFTA

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT:

The Science Sector of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is mandated to provide scientific information essential to the conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources.

Scientists assess stock status and advise fishery managers and industry on conservation and management measures to protect exploited species. They conduct research on the biology, ecology and physiology of marine invertebrates and fishes, as well as on the factors influencing their abundance, recruitment, growth and reproduction. The goal of this work is to develop conservation strategies that ensure a sustainable exploitation of resources.

Stock assessments are conducted for commercially exploited species in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence such as Atlantic Herring. Herring is a pelagic fish with an important ecological role as it is prey to many predators, including some species of commercial importance. It also supports important commercial fisheries in Divisions 4R, 4S and 4T of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO).

Objective

The overall objective of the project is to conduct an acoustic survey to estimate the abundance of Atlantic Herring in NAFO Divisions 4R and 4Sw. The present call for tenders is intended to address the need to charter a fishing vessel to validate data collected during the acoustic survey by fishing for herring samples.

The study area is located on the west coast of Newfoundland, from St. Georges Bay (47°53'35"N; 59°25'25"W) to Savage Point (north of St. Barbe, 51°20'21"N, 56°41'57"W), and on the Lower North Shore of Quebec, from Blanc-Sablon (51°24'48"N, 57°12'16"W) to La Tabatière (50° 49'17"N, 58°58'20"W), but may extend to other areas of NAFO Divisions 4R and 4S. The study area will be divided into strata and the Canadian Coast Guard hydroacoustic vessel will survey each stratum by following parallel transects that are perpendicular to the coast.

The chartered fishing vessel shall remain in the vicinity of the hydroacoustic vessel and collect herring samples when aggregations are detected in order to validate the acoustic signals.

To do this, the contractor will :

• Remain in the vicinity of the hydroacoustic vessel and collect intact fish samples when aggregations are detected to validate the acoustic signals.

• Assist the DFO staff on fishing vessel.

• Freeze herring samples (or other captured fish) aboard the vessel and enter data into tables provided by DFO.
• Send the frozen samples and data tables to the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (DFO, 850 route de la Mer, Mont-Joli QC, G5H 3Z4, Attn: Project Authority), either by the Bella Desgagnés, or by a specialized delivery service.

• Follow the instructions given by the mission head (scientist) and/or DFO staff on board the fishing vessel.

The contractor will not be allowed to make commercial landings during the contract with DFO as they will be fishing under a scientific license provided by DFO.

DURATION OF CONTRACT

The period of the Contract is from date of contract award to November 30^th, 2019. Fifteen (15) days at sea are projected between October 18^th to November 15^th, 2019. The contractor will have until November 30^th to deliver all frozen samples.

ENQUIRIES – BID SOLICITATION

All enquiries must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Authority no later than five (5) calendar days before the bid closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.

PROCESS AND SELECTION METHODOLOGY

A bid must comply with all requirements of the bid solicitation to be declared responsive. The responsive bid with the lowest evaluated price will be recommended for award of a contract.

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

No Security Requirement, escort required at DFO site(s)