AMMOP_PWS_12172024.pdf

SECTION C – CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, ALASKA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER, FISHERIES MONITORING AND ANALYSIS DIVISION ALASKA MARINE

MAMMAL OBSERVER PROGRAM

2025 - 2026

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis (FMA) Division collects high quality fishery-dependent information from fisheries off Alaska to manage groundfish, Pacific halibut and protected resources. Pursuant to the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS, which has the delegated responsibility and authority to manage marine mammals, is directed to assess the level and nature of marine mammal interactions with commercial fishing operations, including serious injury and mortality (SI/M).

Current best available data for Southeast Alaska inland harbor porpoise SI/M bycatch levels incidental to the drift gillnet fishery suggest the fishery poses a high risk to stock levels. FMA will support NMFS under the MMPA by gathering information on the effects of SEAK commercial gillnet fisheries managed by the State of Alaska on marine mammal stocks through the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program (AMMOP). The data will be used to produce statistically reliable estimates of bycatch to be included in annual marine mammal stock assessment reports and used to determine MMPA risk levels on the List of Fisheries.

The FMA Division desires to obtain sampling services and electronic monitoring technology support for the collection of fisheries data including fishing effort, gear characteristics and marine mammal and seabird interactions during the commercial salmon drift gillnet fisheries operating in inland waters of Southeast Alaska in 2025 and 2026.

1.2 BACKGROUND

The Southeast Alaska Gillnet Fishery The SEAK drift gillnet fisheries are managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG).

Gillnetters primarily target sockeye salmon in the early summer (June), then shift to pink salmon throughout midsummer (August) and coho salmon in late summer (late August). Fishing effort peaks in July coinciding with the sockeye run, dips and then peaks again in early September for the coho (figure 1).

Fishing is open to gillnetters in five districts and multiple terminal harvest areas (THAs) from the Canada border north to Skagway. However, the AMMOP efforts will focus only on open state commercial drift gillnet areas that overlap with the two inland harbor porpoise stocks in the north and south. This includes four districts (6, 8, 11 and 15) and seven THAs (figure 2) estimated to hold approximately 10,000 24-hour days of fishing activity.

The fleet is composed of 350 - 400 permit holders and vessels are relatively small (4-18 m or 13 – 60 ft). Due to their size, vessels are unable to accommodate onboard observers (see figure 3 for examples of gillnet vessels) and therefore, monitoring efforts through the AMMOP have historically been conducted from separate platforms.

Commercial fishing typically begins at 12:01 pm each Sunday and lasts 48 or 72 hours ending at 12:00 pm two or three days later. However, open periods may be shorter or may be extended, and THAs are less predictable and may be open longer or for the entire week. ADF&G adaptively manages open periods based on weekly catch and abundance estimates in the region. During an open fishery, gillnetters will take advantage of long daylight hours often fishing from dawn to dusk.

During peak season, they may run several crews and continue active fishing efforts throughout the night, however, the majority of fishing begins at dawn around 4:00 - 5:00 am and ends around 1:00

- 2:00 am.

Gillnetters may participate during all or part of any open period and are free to move among open areas as they desire. They may arrive at the fishing grounds either the night before or the morning of the opening day. Gillnetters arriving the night prior generally are taking advantage of the outgoing tide to increase travel speed and reduce fuel consumption. After arriving at the grounds they take anchorage in a sheltered cove and prepare gear for the next day’s opener. On the morning of the opener, fishers arrive at the area they intend to fish and jockey for positions one to two hours prior to the designated opening time. Gillnetters will typically remain on the fishing grounds and not come to harbor until the end of the open period. Occasionally fishers may return home to dock for the night if they are fishing close to their home port. A few gillnetters may not come into harbor at all for several weeks or for the duration of the salmon season, relying on tenders to deliver fuel and provisions.

Prior AMMOP operations The AMMOP was operational in Southeast Alaska previously during the 2012 and 2013 drift gillnet fishery. Due to the relatively large geographic expanse of the fishery throughout the region and associated high costs of the program operating solely from separate platforms, the previous

AMMOP focused efforts on roughly 20% of the entire fishery in the central inland waters of Southeast Alaska districts 6, 8 and Anita Bay. Inland gillnet fisheries occurring in districts 11 and 15, and adjacent THAs have never been monitored.

Electronic monitoring The FMA Division plans to shift monitoring methods from a traditionally observer centric program to one that employs electronic monitoring (EM) methods. Direct observation of the fishery has historically been obtained from separate platforms requiring the program to procure vessels and boat operators in addition to fishery observers which is extremely costly. EM has been shown to be minimally intrusive to fishing operations and has the potential to document fishing effort and marine mammal interaction at a fraction of the cost of fishery observers, allowing the program to obtain higher coverage levels and more precise bycatch estimates.

While EM has been an effective method for monitoring marine mammal interaction in other gillnet fisheries, the application of EM for the AMMOP has not yet been attempted. In 2023 and 2024, FMA partnered with Archipelago Marine Resources to conduct field trials deploying several types of EM systems on SEAK drift gillnet vessels during salmon season. Results of those trials have been promising: Vessels have adequate power to support small EM systems, there is space to install small EM units on several vessel configurations in locations that are accessible but that also do not impede fishing operations, camera views and image quality can capture seabird and marine mammal interaction with the nets.

1.3 SCOPE OF WORK

Contractor shall conduct fishery sampling/observing over the course of 16 weeks beginning in early June on week 24 through September ending after week 39 in 2025 and in 2026. Operations will occur in inland waters of Southeast Alaska where drift gillnet fisheries occur including districts 6, 8, 11, and 15 as well as adjacent THAs (Figure 2). All fishing activity within these spatial and temporal constraints will be subject to sampling. Permit holders will be randomly sampled each week and all fishing activity occurring within a 24-hour period over the course of a week beginning each Sunday at 12:01 pm will be sampled from each randomly selected vessel/permit holder.

The objectives of the AMMOP are:

1. Obtain reliable data that can be used to construct estimates of incidental serious injury and mortality of marine mammals and seabirds

2. Determine the reliability of reports submitted by vessel owners and operators

3. Identify changes in fishing methods or technology that may increase or decrease incidental serious injury or mortality

4. Collect biological samples to support and promote scientific studies

5. Record data on by-catch and discard levels of all species

Additional objectives will help continue to develop EM tools

1. Obtain high quality EM imagery of gillnet hauls/sets at surface water break point that documents fishing effort and potential marine mammal and seabird interaction from several vessel/mounting configurations.

2. Document and assess the quantity of EM imagery obtained.

3. Determine the feasibility of moving (installing and uninstalling) EM units from vessel to vessel on a weekly basis and develop methods for improved logistics.

4. Determine the type of EM system best suited for the target application.

5. Assess the quality of EM data in relation to other forms of data collection.

Contractor shall provide fisheries and boat operator support staff, observer vessels, supervision, transportation, insurance and quality control necessary to collect information on fishing effort, gear, biological samples, and marine mammal and seabird interactions. Contractor shall additionally provide electronic monitoring equipment, perform equipment installs/uninstalls, maintain equipment, and review/annotate imagery.

2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

The Contractor’s performance shall be evaluated against the performance measures cited in this contract.

2.1 Program Staff Support – Fishery Observers

The Contractor shall provide and retain qualified personnel to act as fishery observers and perform sampling, data quality control checks, data submissions and equipment maintenance. Observers will be required to have served as fishery observers previously and should be familiar with gillnet fishing operations. Observers with prior experience in protected resource observation are highly desired. Observers will collect essential fishery dependent data including:

● Marine mammal and seabird interaction

● Fishing effort – set time, haul time, harvest

● Fishing gear

● Fishing behavior

● Environmental conditions

● Specimen samples

The government will provide fishery observers with a training that will not exceed 10-days in length This training will be offered once at the beginning of the fishing season in late May or early June prior to fieldwork. One week of training will cover data collection and one week will cover safety and water-based training. Data collection training may be virtual but safety training will be mandatory in-person.

2.1.1 EM Installation/Uninstallation

Observers may additionally be responsible for moving, installing and uninstalling EM equipment as needed under guidance and discretion from EM providers. EM systems that require no more than plugging into a 12-volt adapter or USB port can potentially be installed by observers as observers will be in opportune locations within the fishery to aid in deploying and collecting equipment.

Installation would consist of boarding docked vessels to attach mounting hardware to the rail or canopy of the gillnet vessel with hose clamps, zip ties or other means. Training on general EM system operation will be provided by the selected EM provider. Personal protection and safety equipment will be provided by the government and may be supplemented by the Contractor.

Should the EM provider not elect to use observers for this purpose, the contractor shall be responsible for assigning a team to install, move and collect equipment. However, observers should be considered as they will provide an efficient use of personnel.

Observers or EM installation teams will liaison with fishers. They shall coordinate meet up times with fishers for EM installs at which time they will provide brief training on the use of EM equipment, provide fisher log sheets, and conduct an interview/questionnaire to obtain data on gear and fishing behavior. Upon return to port, observers or EM installation teams will be responsible for uninstalling the EM equipment and conducting another interview/questionnaire and later uploading EM image data, scanning/uploading paper datasheets and sending SD cards as needed. Installation and equipment collection meets ups are anticipated to each take no more than one hour.

2.2 Program Staff Support – Boat Operators and Boats

The small size of gillnet vessels prohibits accommodation of onboard observers. The contractor shall procure vessels and staff boat operators to provide observers with separate platforms to view the fishery. At minimum, work vessels or skiffs must have a cabin to provide shelter/privacy, a 4-person capacity and be capable of navigating sometimes turbulent waters in Southeast Alaska.

Boat operators must be experienced operators with background operating boats for professional and/or recreational purposes throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Ideally but not necessary, boat operators would have prior experience operating small vessels to support a fisheries observer program. The government will provide boat safety training which will be required of all hired boat operators and consist of a 5-day training that includes a module for nighttime operations. Vessels shall be procured starting as soon as fieldwork is scheduled to begin. Boat operators shall work a maximum of 12 hour shifts. Boat operation along with fishery observation will occur during the extent of weekly fishing activity occurring mainly during daylight hours but occasionally into the night. Hence, observer-boat operator teams will likely need to run in two shifts per day. In the occasion in-field technical assistance is needed to resolve equipment issues, boat operators may also provide transport for additional technical staff if available.

2.3 Electronic Monitoring Equipment Procurement

The Government seeks to contract an electric monitoring provider to supply EM systems to document marine mammal and seabird interaction with the SEAK gillnet fishery. Systems that will work best for the gillnet fleet are relatively small and have low energy consumption needs. Ideally the selected EM systems are mobile, portable units that can be installed quickly with a single cord plugged into a 12-volt or USB port, or are battery powered. Hard-wired units that remain on the vessels for the duration of the season will be considered but preference will be given to units that can be moved from vessel to vessel each week.

The contractor shall ensure the EM systems are in working order and functioning properly prior to launching field operations. Sufficient spare or back-up equipment/parts should be available and on-hand to quickly replace system components in the event of failure or malfunction. Contractor will be responsible for developing innovative mounting systems that hold EM units and easily attach to gillnet vessels in a position that acquires desirable footage while also remaining out of the way of fishing operations.

The contractor shall be responsible for installing/uninstalling equipment each year for all ‘hard-wired’ EM systems. No equipment will be left on the vessels after the fishing season concludes and EM equipment may not be used for fisheries other than those being monitored by AMMOP. Facilities and computers will be provided by NMFS or by Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. The contractor shall follow all sample protocols.

2.4 Sample the SEAK Gillnet Fishery

Contractor shall be responsible for sampling the fishery at a 10% coverage level from calendar week 24 - 39. Approximately 1/3rd of that coverage level shall be via fishery observer on separate platforms and the other 2/3rd by EM. Assuming that there are 10,000 24-hr fishing days in the SEAK gillnet fishery, we estimate a need for 1,000 24-hr days of sampling: 333.3 24-hr days via fishery observer and 666.7 24-hr days via EM. Gillnet activity varies throughout the season coinciding with the salmon run (Figure 1, Table 1). Hence, sampling effort and observer/EM workload will need to follow this same variation.

2.4.1 Paired EM-Observer Trials

Approximately 1/3rd of selected permit holders will be observed via fishery observer and each week up to two of those vessels will additionally carry EM equipment. FM will compare data from both observation types to further evaluate the quality of data obtained by EM.

2.5 Electronic Monitoring Imagery Review & Annotation

Contractor shall provide data review staff, review equipment and software. Contractor shall review and annotate EM imagery including details of marine mammal and seabird bycatch; fishing effort;

gear characteristics; fishing behavior; as well as details of the review process and image quality.

Contractor review team will work with FMA staff to determine specific metrics to record during the annotation process to tailor to their needs. Video clips and stills of all bycatch events will be shared with FMA. Annotated data will be standardized and shared with FMA.

Image review of gillnet collection from the water is the most crucial imagery and should be reviewed between 4-7x speed. Review speeds during net soak times while it remains in the water can be much faster on the order of 10-12x speed. Previous data tell us that average net haul times are 22 minutes while average net soak times are 62 minutes, around a 1:3 ratio. The times are, however, highly variable.

2.6 Program Staff Support - Project Management

Contractor shall assign a Project Manager to be the focal point for communications between the Government, EM provider and fishery observers. The project manager shall provide regular updates with the Government. Contractor shall ensure observers are deployed and resolve observer related issues. FMA will supply a list of randomly selected permit holders and contact information to the contractor. Project management will include all field logistics oversight and regular check-ins with FMA staff to discuss project progress, as well as any other topics as needed throughout the project. Contractor is responsible for any necessary program management and staffing to ensure the deliverables are met. Contractor shall provide

3.0 PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

This contract includes a Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The PRS plays an integral role in the administration of the contract. In addition to any applicable inspection clauses or other related terms and conditions contained in the contract, the PRS shall serve as a primary tool for inspection and acceptance of services as facilitated by the Contracting

Officer’s Representative (COR). Evaluation of the Contractor’s overall performance shall be in accordance with the performance standards set forth in the PRS, and will be conducted by the COR. The PRS constitutes a material aspect of the contract and will not be changed or otherwise modified without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

Service Output Performance Standard Method of Surveillance

Frequency Negative/ Positive Incentive

1. EM installation and performance

100% of selected vessels will have Contractor provided EM systems installed (or attempted installed) and functional prior to departure of fishing trips.

FMA will track all randomly selected permit holders and the outcome of EM system installs, reaching out to permit holders if necessary

Monthly Non-payment for services that do not comply.

2. Fisher liaison 100% of selected fishers are professionally contacted and proper information and instructions are distributed.

FMA will track all randomly selected permit holders and the outcome of EM system installs, reaching out to permit holders if necessary

Monthly Withholding 10% of monthly invoice.

3. Fishery observer deployment

100% of selected vessels will deploy fishery observers each day to the extent defined in the requirements.

FMS will compare the number and dates of selected fishing trips with the number and dates of fishing trips covered by fishery observers.

Weekly report

Non-payment for services that do not comply.

4. Fishery observer performance

95% of expected data entry fields will be complete, accurate and clearly written.

FMA will examine observer data, assess completeness and perform quality checks.

Monthly report

Withholding 10% of monthly invoice.

5. Deadlines are met with agreed upon high quality products

Submission of detailed reports and/or meetings including field work progress, and data

FMA will coordinate timelines and document submission dates.

Biweekly report

Non-payment for services that do not comply.

6. EM system performance

No more than 10% of intended coverage shall be lost due to system malfunction or lack of maintenance.

FMA will examine contractor supplied summary reports.

Biweekly report

Withholding 10% of monthly invoice.

Potential to exercise option periods.

4.0 CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PRIVACY

This contract may require that services contractors have access to Privacy Information. Service contractors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all subjects and materials and may be required to sign and adhere to a Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA).

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES

The Government will provide necessary sample protocols to the Contractor for work required under this contract. The Contractor shall use Government furnished facilities, property, equipment and supplies on-site at NOAA’s offices to upload data and datasheets when such spaces are available. The contractor shall be issued government safety and sampling equipment, and shall be responsible for returning all Government furnished property, and equipment in good working condition, subject to normal wear and tear. Any property that is damaged, destroyed or stolen due to Contractor/Observer negligence or fraud will be the responsibility of the Contractor.

The replaced gear and equipment shall be equivalent to the gear and equipment the Government provided the Observer.

6.0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

All deliverables are the property of the U.S. Government. All source code, documents, analyses, files (digital or other), reports, notes and photos are to be used only by Contractor personnel assigned to this Task Order. Documents, files and other data are to be stored exclusively on Government owned equipment and at no point should be saved or archived on personal drives or devices. Copies are not to be disseminated to anyone outside of the NMFS or to any other contractor personnel without explicit release from the NMFS Project Leader.

7.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Work will be conducted primarily in the field. Data uploads may be conducted on-site at NMFS facilities. In cases of shutdown or furlough (or in other instances which cause the Government facility to be closed), contact the COR for guidance. Work may be performed at other than the government facility on a limited basis and in coordination with the COR and Project Lead.

8.0 TRAVEL AND TRAINING

Contractors may be required to travel to one (1) of the fishery agencies or Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) for required training. Contractor shall adhere to all NOAA/NMFS Mandates and Policies for contractors and affiliates.

● Complete all required contractor/affiliate training in a timely manner and follow all DOC, NOAA, NMFS and AFSC safety protocols.

● Maintain an awareness of safety at all times and contribute to the maintenance of a safe working environment.

● Maintain the protection of Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information and Business Identifiable Information, both physical and electronic.

The COR may authorize additional training that is necessary for the contract and not commercially available. Should additional training be necessary, the changes to the scope will be negotiated bilaterally through contract modification. Training is generally held in Seattle or Anchorage.

9.0 TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure 1. Average 5-year drift gillnet permit holder activity (± 1 standard deviation in grey) occurring in ADFG managed inland waters by week in 2024.

Figure 2. Gillnet effort among open ADFG districts and THAs occurring in inland waters of Southeast Alaska.

Figure 3. Examples of drift gillnet vessel configurations from Southeast Alaska.

Table 1. 5-year average number of participating drift gillnet permit holders by week and ADFG area, and expected quantity of permit holders that will be sampled each week under a 10% observer coverage program.

Week Dist 6 Dist 8 Dist 11 Dist 15 Anita

Bay THA

Total Permit Holder

Particpants

Sample Permit Holders

(10% coverage)

24 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.6 20.6 2

25 42.0 0.0 32.0 106.5 22.0 202.5 20

26 31.2 17.0 34.4 116.2 26.2 225.0 23

27 41.2 27.6 53.4 144.0 18.6 284.8 28

28 45.0 31.8 79.6 152.2 14.6 323.2 32

29 45.6 35.3 86.8 150.8 24.5 343.0 34

30 56.8 62.5 100.2 122.2 16.0 357.7 36

31 67.8 52.5 83.4 104.6 31.5 339.8 34

32 68.6 58.4 56.0 92.6 23.5 299.1 30

33 60.0 52.5 27.6 65.4 18.8 224.3 22

34 59.2 32.0 26.2 52.4 8.4 178.2 18

35 62.0 24.5 23.2 49.0 3.6 162.3 16

36 65.2 28.0 24.4 49.2 4.6 171.4 17

37 67.0 30.7 25.0 51.0 5.6 179.3 18

38 50.0 25.7 19.6 51.8 7.2 154.3 15

39 21.4 14.8 8.0 38.4 8.0 90.6 9