PWS.doc

DETERMINING POPULATION STRUCTURE, REPRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL AND HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS OF WHITE AND PINTO ABALONE IN

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

NOAA/NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

SOUTHWEST REGION

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

I. Background Seven species of abalone (genus Haliotis) are native to the west coast of North America, five of which once supported viable commercial fisheries in southern California that began in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Unfortunately, despite the short duration of the fishery, the intensity of harvest led to precipitous declines in abalone densities and the subsequent closure of the fishery in 1997. Abalone populations have not since recovered and it appears that populations remain at less than 1% of baseline abundances estimated during the peak of the fishery.

Recovery strategies developed by Federal (NOAA/NMFS) and State (CDFW) agencies have focused on monitoring key population demographic characteristics (e.g., abundance, density, size frequency) and examination of reproductive potential in order to implement recovery actions that will restore the viability of wild populations. Abalone are broadcast spawners and need to be close together to successfully reproduce. A single female may produce over 10 million eggs but must be in close proximity to a spawning male for successful fertilization to occur. It is likely that low densities have resulted in little, or no, fertilization success and continued declines in abundance. However, movement behaviors of abalone may produce dense clusters (aggregations) of individuals, increasing reproductive success. Thus, measures of nearest-neighbor distance (NND), degree of aggregation, and sex ratios in addition to densities and size frequencies are critical in understanding the potential of abalone to reproduce successfully. Further, abalone distributions may be affected by habitat quality and quantity. Developing the best underwater methods for quantifying and analyzing these variables is vital to developing a better understanding of abalone ecology. This in turn will inform how best to carry out recovery efforts and track their success, especially the enhancement of wild populations through outplanting captive-reared abalone.

White (Haliotis sorenseni) and pinto abalone (H. kamtschatkana) contributed to a lucrative commercial fishery in California that ended in 1997. In 2001, NMFS listed white abalone as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to critically low abundance in the wild following an intense decade of fishing during the 1970s. In 2013 NMFS was petitioned to list the pinto abalone as threatened or endangered under the ESA in response to evidence of continued population declines and subsequent reproductive failure, particularly in the northern part of its range. Although a 2014 status review by NMFS concluded that listing was not warranted at this time, they added the species to its Species of Concern list and noted that a significant lack of baseline data increased the uncertainty of their assessment and pointed to a need for improved monitoring of the species throughout its range and especially in southern California where basic demographic data from targeted surveys are lacking.

Based on preliminary observations, the ecological needs of white and pinto abalone overlap considerably in Southern California. In addition, even though densities of pinto abalone are far below thresholds thought to be necessary for successful reproduction, there is evidence of recent recruitment and individuals within the population represent a broad size range (13 – 151mm maximum shell length). Observations of a small population of white abalone co-occurring with pinto abalone in this area are the first of their kind since the 1970s.

II. Objectives NMFS is seeking an individual or entity that will further examine the abundance, habitat characteristics, sex ratios, behavior, and movement of white and pinto abalone in San Diego, an area where rare, remnant wild populations of these two species exist along the southern California mainland coast. In addition, methods development for surveying wild populations of white and pinto abalone in Southern California is necessary to inform recovery efforts, especially helping NMFS determine where to conduct experimental outplanting, how densely animals should be outplanted, and how to track post-outplanting short- and long-term status of populations.

This work will support NOAA’s mission to implement recovery actions for white abalone and to monitor pinto abalone status in Southern California. In addition, this work will apply existing NOAA monitoring protocols and further fine-tune them for both species given that they co-occur. Option years are included so that each year may build upon the previous year’s work. The information obtained from these studies is essential for designing the lowest risk recovery program that yields the highest recovery potential for white and pinto abalone.

III. Scope NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Regional Office (WCR) is seeking to collaborate with a particular entity that will provide support to underwater abalone surveys and research conducted by SCUBA divers in southern California. The individual or entity must: 1) have access to a vessel, survey equipment and SCUBA gear that can safely and efficiently conduct underwater surveys along the mainland in southern California; 2) provide experienced AAUS-certified scientific divers to conduct underwater abalone surveys; 3) gather information on abalone abundance, distribution, habitat suitability and reproductive potential based on SCUBA observations and time lapse images; 4) have access to specialized equipment (underwater time lapse cameras) and be capable of analyzing the images collected by these cameras over the period of performance; and 5) analyze data and present findings to project management and stakeholders, at scientific conferences, and in relevant peer-reviewed publications.

IV. Tasks Work Period: August 02, 2016 – July 31, 2017

Tasks:

a. Continue surveys of key demographic characteristics and reproductive potential (e.g., abundance, density, size frequency, NND, aggregation size, and sex ratios) of pinto and white abalone populations

b. Conduct new surveys to quantify habitat characteristics most closely associated with higher abalone densities based on demographic research

c. Assist NMFS biologists with the implementation of an acoustic tagging project at one site in San Diego that will examine pinto abalone movement behaviors

d. Continue to develop new methods using time-lapse photography to monitor pinto and white abalone movement, behavior, and habitat variables over time in at least two locations in San Diego, CA

e. Combine methods developed in year one to examine abalone demographics, reproductive potential, habitat associations and movement behavior into a comprehensive survey methodology

f. Submit quarterly progress reports and a final year-end report

V. Deliverables All deliverables will be submitted to the Government Project Officer.

Prior to conducting new monitoring protocols, the Contractor shall provide a report describing protocols so that the Project Officer may provide sufficient feedback before starting monitoring activities. Once activities have begun, the Contractor will provide a report on the results of monitoring activities each quarter and will maintain regular communication so the Project Officer knows when monitoring activities are occurring and where. The Contractor shall provide a detailed report at the end of each year (March) describing tasks completed, planned next steps, and recommendations for future monitoring.

Work Period – July 20, 2016 – July 31, 2017

VI. Period of Performance

Period of Performance is requested to begin (on or before) August 02, 2016 – July 31, 2017.

VII. Place of Performance: Primary locations include the waters just offshore of mainland San Diego County in water depths ( 130 feet and the contractor’s residence in San Diego, CA.

VIII. Reimbursable Expenses (Travel, Conference, Training, Equipment, Materials, Etc.): Anticipated expenses include boat vessel gas, maintenance and supplies, dive equipment maintenance and supplies, time lapse camera maintenance and supplies, travel and mileage for coastal field work adjacent to San Diego County, CA IX. Education/Experience Required:

Requirements of the Selected Vendor:

a. Must have extensive experience conducting subtidal biological surveys using SCUBA and will be an active AAUS-certified scientific diver

b. Must have extensive experience in abalone identification and ecology and appropriate survey methods including time lapse camera use and data analysis

c. Must have extensive experience in kelp forest community ecology, survey techniques and data analysis

d. Must have access to a research vessel that has the following:

a. Fuel and provisions for nearshore travel along the mainland as well as to each of the Channel Islands and transportation via land to appropriate boat launch sites

b. Primary and backup GPS

c. Depth sensor and sonar

d. VHF and SSB radio

e. Emergency oxygen and first aid with enough oxygen to treat an injured diver during transport to higher-level medical treatment

e. Must be able to provide a team of AAUS-certified scientific divers with experience in survey protocols and oversee diver adherence to certification requirements, training, safety, data collection and all diving/boating operations.

f. Must be able to provide and maintain all dive gear and equipment necessary to conduct surveys.