16-03626__-_OCEAN_DISCOVERY-SEA_TURTLES__-_PWS_-_RFQ.pdf

Purchase Request #NFFP5000-16-03626 Page 1

STATEMENT OF WORK

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

WEST COAST REGION

Research Sea Turtle Bycatch Reduction in Coastal Gillnet Fishery

January, 2016

A. Background:

The NMFS West Coast Region has a need to research inexpensive and practical methods to reduce the bycatch of sea turtles in gillnet fisheries to lower this threat to sea turtles locally and worldwide and improve the recovery of these endangered and threatened species. This research needs to take place in an area where sea turtles are found in high abundance in order to reach significant results in a short amount of time.

A number of strategies have been developed to reduce sea turtle bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries while relatively few tools are available to reduce sea turtle bycatch in coastal fixed gears, such as gillnets. Further research is needed that examines the use of acoustic cues to deter sea turtles from interacting with coastal gillnets, thereby reducing sea turtle bycatch and mortality. Previous studies conducted from 2006 through 2013 indicate that illuminating nets using light emitting diodes (LEDs) and light sticks reduces sea turtle captures by 41% and 60%, respectively and has no significant impact on commercial catch. Sound cues may also be important in affecting sea turtle behavior. Acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) have been used to reduce the bycatch of some species of marine mammals in net fisheries, and they have most recently begun being evaluated for reducing bycatch of sea turtles. Sea turtles most likely do not use sound for communication but may use sound to navigate and perceive their environment.

Sea turtles are known to detect low-frequency sounds, generally between 2,000 Hz and 200 Hz (Bartol et al., 1999; Bartol and Ketten 2006; Dow-Piniak 2012). However, the behavior of sea turtles in response to underwater acoustic stimuli is uncertain. It has been suggested that testing 300 Hz sounds would be a first step in the development of sea turtle ADDs. Specific questions that should be addressed include determining the effects of acoustic pingers on gillnets during night-time fishing operations both with respect for target and bycatch species catch rates.

Findings generated from this work should be transferable to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles in coastal gillnet fisheries worldwide.

B. Objectives:

• Research ADDs and their effectiveness of reducing sea turtle bycatch

• Research ADDs and compare effectiveness of target species catch/price

C. Scope:

This research involves the testing of ADDs on gillnets in an area where sea turtles are abundant, to determine if ADDs are an effective strategy for bycatch reduction.

Purchase Request #NFFP5000-16-03626 Page 2

D. Tasks:

1. Working with local fishers in Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico, the contractor will incorporate ADDs into gillnets (experimental nets) and compare these with traditional nets (control nets). The ADD sound field will be measured and the control net will be placed such that it will be unaffected by the experimental net.

Auditory deterrents will consist of a speaker (8 inch diameter) connected to the float line and an iPod and battery pack connected to a bullet float and placed approximately every 20 meters (to be determined). Using a paired testing methodology, the contractor will test whether the experimental nets reduce sea turtle catch rates. Nets will be deployed during the night in an area known to have high turtle catch rates. Nets will be monitored throughout the night to remove captured turtles and ensure their health and survival.

Captured turtles will be tagged, measured, and released. Catch rates of all species will be measured. For all field objectives, environmental data (depth, tides, moon phase, temperature and visibility) will be collected at setting (sunset) and pulling (sunrise) of the nets.

2. All research will be analyzed and submitted in report form to NMFS-West Coast Regional Office. Research results will be written up for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journal and/or presented at a scientific meeting or conference.

E. Deliverables:

All deliverables will be submitted to the Government Project Officer.

Deliverable Description Date Completed

1 Finish analyzing data, submit field report to NMFS August 31, 2016 (or as designated by PO)

2 Submit draft final report to NMFS September 30, 2016 (or as designated by PO)

3 Submit final report (addressing revisions/comments) December 31, 2016 (or as designated by PO)

F. Period of performance: August 8, 2016 (or upon award) – August 7, 2017; with 2 more option years. Option Year 1 from August 8, 2017 – August 7, 2018 and Option Year 2 from August 8, 2018 – August 7, 2019).

Note – If option year 1 is exercised, then dates of deliverables 1, 2, and 3 will be July 31, 2017, September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2017. If option year 2 is exercised, then dates of deliverables 1, 2, and 3 will be July 31, 2018, September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2018.

G. Place of Performance: Field work is expected to occur in the waters of Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico.

Purchase Request #NFFP5000-16-03626 Page 3

H. Reimbursable Expenses (Travel, Conference, Training, Equipment, Materials, Etc.):

Expenses anticipated include travel to/from Mexico, food, materials (nets, ADDs), reimbursing fishermen (i.e., time, gas, boat maintenance, etc.), and time spent analyzing data, drafting report.

I Education/Experience Required:

The contractor shall have experience working with Mexican fishermen, be familiar with gillnet fishing and handling sea turtles, including collecting morphometric information, tagging, weighing, etc.

J. Other Unique Requirements: N/A

K. Program Office Points of Contact:

CONTACT TO BE PROVIDED AT AWARD

Protected Resources Division NMFS-West Coast Regional Office 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802

NMFS Acquisitions Contact:

CONTACT TO BE PROVIDED AT AWARD

Operations, Management & Information Division NMFS, West Coast Regional Office 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bldg 1 Seattle, WA 98114