Pacific Herring Survey, British Columbia

Pacific Herring Survey off the British Columbia Coast

1.2 Contracting Period

Project work anticipated to take place between January and May of 2023 and January and May of 2024 (if option year 1 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 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 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.