SOW_for_RFQ.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Project Title:

Use of a video electronic monitoring system to estimate smalltooth sawfish and other protected species bycatch in shrimp trawl fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico

Introduction:

On March 9, 2010, NOAA Fisheries-Southeast Regional Office requested reinitiation section 7 consultation of the Endangered Species Act on the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery to address new information indicating that the 2006 Incidental Take Statement (ITS) of smalltooth sawfish was exceeded. Data used to develop the level of “take” of smalltooth sawfish in the biological opinion (NMFS 2012) was taken from an April 29, 2011, report published by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The published report indicates annual sawfish take estimates calculated based on combined effort across areas (Gulf and South Atlantic) and years (2008 and 2009) is 79.8 captures annually (NMFS- SEFSC 2011). However, the rarity of sawfish captures combined with low levels of observer coverage resulted in high levels of uncertainty in the estimates of annual sawfish captures. In light of the costs associated with observer coverage and given the rare event of capturing a smalltooth sawfish, increasing observer coverage to refine the take estimates of smalltooth sawfish may not be practical at this point. Alternate methods such as video cameras mounted in specific locations could provide a valid alternate to monitor the interactions with smalltooth sawfish and other protected species.

In 2014, a pilot study of preliminary testing of an electronic monitoring (EM) system on a contracted commercial shrimp trawl vessel in southwest Florida. The EM system performed well in capturing video for a total of 109 hauls over 62 days at sea. The hardware held up for the duration of the trips with no water ingress to the deck components and there were was only one significant gap that may have been caused by a system component malfunction. While no sawfish were observed, many sightings of dolphins occurred which suggests interactions with other protected species could be captured with these systems. Despite some positive preliminary results, in order for implementation to occur there is a need to further test this system and expand coverage to areas outside southwest Florida. Based on the current information, it could be predicted that any proposal to Fishery Management councils to require the use of electronic monitoring would be resisted by the industry and the council due to the limited information available.

Purpose:

Investigate video monitoring as an efficient solution capable of collecting data for scientific, management, and compliance purposes. This study is being set-up to conduct and test a video monitoring system comprised of hardware and software to determine the feasibility of developing a cost-effective and reliable system of monitoring bycatch, release mortality, and handling of sawfish and other protected species in addition to other shipboard practices aboard shrimp trawl vessels in the Gulf of Mexico.

Work Statement:

The contractor shall outfit and provide commercial shrimp trawl vessels with the video software and equipment capable of satisfactory monitoring of bycatch, release mortality, and handling of sawfish, and other shipboard practices aboard shrimp trawl vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Suggested equipment is listed later in this document. Additionally, outreach to vessels in the shrimp trawl industry is required to meet with and explain the project objectives, the equipment involved and how the equipment placement will be accomplished. These outreach activities may involve one or more meetings with industry representatives to ensure an understanding of the project goals.

Proposed work/equipment:

The contractor will provide not more than 2 video monitoring systems on shrimp trawl vessels for up to 150 days per vessel, as determined by NOAA Fisheries Service. The details of the system will potentially consist of: (1) Operating system and data storage consisting of a lockable, tamper-proof box contains the operating system, data storage components, and power supplies for the video camera and peripheral vessel sensors. The two primary components in the control box are the video computer and data logging computer; (2) User interface consisting of a small monitor and keyboard provide basic system status information and allow user input; (3) GPS receiver; (4) Winch sensor; (5) Hydraulic pressure transducer; and (6) Cameras (2 to 5). The exact specifications of the system will be developed in accordance to nuances of data to be collected. The contractor will set up systems on specific vessels and download data from systems upon completion of a fishing trip. The system will record information during the haulback (~1-2 hrs) of species caught, location, depth, date, time, and disposition of released organisms. The contractor will analyze electronic video monitoring data and provide SEFSC personnel with results. These results will be used by the SEFSC to compare data collected by the electronic monitoring system and NMFS observers and NMFS will prepare a final report.

Video equipment specifications:

Waterproof armored dome cameras will be required as they have been proven reliable in extreme environmental conditions on long-term deployments on fishing vessels. The camera needs to lightweight, compact and quickly attaches to the vessel’s standing structure with a universal stainless steel mount and band straps. The cameras should have the following minimal characteristics:

Horizontal Resolution (TV Lines):

700 TVLines Color(Day) 700 TVLines B&W(Night) Minimum Illumination (F:1.2):

0.020 Lux Color(Day)

0.005 Lux B&W(Night)

Optional: Factory set to Day/Night switching Standard Factory setting: always Color Total Pixels: 1020 (H) x 508(V) (NTSC) Total Pixels: 1020 (H) x 595(V) (PAL) Image Sensor: 1/3" SONY EXVIEW HAD CCD II

Auto Shutter Auto White Balance Auto Gain

Upon completion of project, contractor shall remove all equipment from vessels in a timely manner and return vessels to original condition.

Video equipment provided by the contractor for the duration of this project will be returned to the contractor upon project completion.

Deliverables:

Contractor will provide acceptable monitoring equipment systems and installation aboard participating vessels. Progress reports and analysis of video monitoring to be provided to NOAA Fisheries Service on a quarterly basis beginning with the first quarter following the award of the contract.

Information Security:

The C&A requirements of clause 73 do not apply and a Security Accreditation Package is not required.