17-02763_Turtles_SOW.pdf

BIOLOGICAL AND DATA COLLECTION OF LEATHERBACKS OFF PERU

NOAA/NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

WEST COAST REGION

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

I. Introduction

NMFS’ West Coast Region (WCR) and Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) have a need to collect biological information and samples from leatherback turtles foraging off the coast of Peru in order to identify nesting beach origin as well as information on diet and health, as well as the identification of threats (e.g., fisheries bycatch and human consumption of turtles). This is a high priority for recovering sea turtles that are endangered and threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and reducing the threats to their important life stages south of the United States border. Outreach to local fisherman and regional governmental offices who may incidentally take leatherbacks and who may opportunistically take samples may improve the understanding by the community on the importance of protecting leatherbacks and reducing this primary threat.

II. Background

Five species of sea turtle inhabit the eastern Pacific Ocean; all are endangered or threatened under the ESA. The critically endangered leatherback turtle forages in waters off Peru and Chile. Satellite and genetic studies confirm that these turtles belong to the Eastern Pacific Stock; recent studies indicated that around 15% of sampled leatherbacks in these waters were from the Western Pacific stock. These discoveries highlighted the importance of continuous and coordinated research in the southeastern Pacific waters to perform adequate conservation actions for improving the entire leatherback Pacific populations.

Sea turtle mortality is occurring with direct take by poachers who, due to socio-economic factors, sell turtle meat and eggs on the black market and by incidental capture by fishing nets, trawls, and longlines. Along the South American coast, particularly off Peru, Ecuador and Chile, intense fishing overlaps with the leatherbacks’ critical foraging habitat, creating a situation with high bycatch, resulting in an alarming rate of declining trends in nesting females at their primary nesting grounds in Mexico and Costa Rica. Although wide-ranging during their lifetimes, many leatherbacks born on Eastern Pacific beaches spend much of their time in foraging “hotspots” that they find along the coastal areas and offshore. Because the region off Peru appears to be a critical feeding habitat for leatherbacks, analyses of these collected samples may help researchers and managers understand the importance of protecting particular areas to various human activities. In addition, identifying strategies to increase or change at-sea fishermen behavior toward sea turtles will help to build a strong collaborative initiative in the long term.

III. Description of Work and Services

The main goals of this study are to: 1) collect information and samples from stranded and by-caught leatherback turtles in coastal waters of central and northern Peru; 2) continue building a strong cooperative network with volunteer fishermen to report and release leatherback turtles through outreach activities; and 3) develop workshops and meetings with governmental agencies for planning sea turtle’s conservation measures in key ports and integrate them into a National Action Plan.

In order to accomplish these objectives, the selected vendor will develop surveys along beaches and landing places at key ports identified in past surveys, conduct interviews along the Peruvian fishing community, collect morphological data, skin and other biological samples (head, carapaces, etc.) of sea turtles, carry out workshops about leatherback’s critical conservation status and their current legal status and get in contact with fishermen and inspectors to implement practical conservation measures at sea to release leatherback turtles. Due to illegal poaches in some ports, markets, landing sites, and city dumps will need to be surveyed and the control agencies will be informed of the findings. NMFS’ SWFSC will provide selected vendor with genetic sampling kits.

Field activities will be carried out for five months. During the first month, the selected vendor will present the project to central agencies and, according to their suggestions, develop a schedule for visiting their regional offices. Also during this first month, the selected vendor shall design a datasheet for collecting data on sea turtles, gear characteristics, fishing grounds and economic aspects. A renewal of the application for the applicable research permit(s) will be completed (current one expires in March, 2017). During the remaining months, the selected vendor shall conduct site visits, collect data, and host workshops. The vendor will coordinate with other NGOs in Peru, to avoid duplication of effort. Samples from the collaborative network are expected to continue arriving until at least three months after field work is completed. All samples will be sent to SWFSC La Jolla Laboratory for genetic and stable isotope analysis.

For Option Years 1 and 2, field activities will be carried out for four months. Building upon the schedules, datasheet, and permits established for the first year, the selected vendor shall conduct site visits, collect data, and host workshops. The vendor will coordinate with other NGOs in Peru, to avoid duplication of effort. Samples from the collaborative network are expected to continue arriving until at least three months after field work is completed. All samples will be sent to SWFSC La Jolla Laboratory for genetic and stable isotope analysis.

IV. Deliverables

1. Morphometric data collected and recorded for each leatherback stranded and captured.

2. Skin samples collected and sent to SWFSC lab in La Jolla for genetic and stable isotopic analysis.

3. Fishermen collecting leatherback data and making suggestions for successful sea turtle release.

4. Information gathered in this study will be compiled in a report which will be distributed to central government authorities.

5. A final report will be submitted to NMFS (WCR and SWFSC) with data of each sampled leatherback turtle, map showing occurrence of at-sea and stranded leatherbacks, and recommendations for regional and national stakeholders.

V. Schedule

All deliverables will be submitted to the Government Project Officer and the Scientific Advisor.

01 Not later than September 15, 2017 submit Progress Report 1 to NMFS.

02 Not later than November 15, 2017, submit Progress Report 2 to NMFS.

03 Not later than May 1, 2018, submit final report to NMFS.

04 Not later than June 15, 2018 final revisions (if applicable) from NMFS review & comments

Period of performance is July 17, 2017 (or upon Award) – June 30, 2018, with 2 more option years (option year one from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019; option year two from July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020).

Note – If option year one is exercised, then dates of deliverables 01, 02, 03 and 04 (if applicable) will be September 15, 2018, November 15, 2018, May 1, 2019 and June 15, 2019 for option year one (respectively). If option year two is exercised, then dates of deliverables 01, 02, 03 and 04 will be September 15, 2019, November 15, 2019, May 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

VI. Non-Personal Service Contract Statement

Contractor employees performing services under this order will be controlled, directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. Contractor employees will perform independent of and without the supervision of any Government official. Actions of contractor employees may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any contractor employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the U.S. Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The Government will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work.

VII. Invoicing

Invoices may be submitted at the end of each month in which services are performed, the vendor will submit an itemized invoice to the NMFS Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and NMFS Project Officer (PO). It is preferred that invoices are submitted in electronic form via email to the COR, with a copy to the PO.