17-03132_Beluga_Biopsy_sow.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) –Cook Inlet Beluga Biopsy

NFFS7300-17-03132

Background The Cook Inlet beluga whale population has declined significantly from 1979 when the population was estimate at approximately 1,300 whales, to a current 2014 estimate of 340 whales. This decline led the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to designate the Cook Inlet beluga whales as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 65 FR 34590, May 31, 2000) and to list the whales as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 73 FR 62919, October 22, 2008). On 10 February 2016, NMFS released a 5-Year “Species in the Spotlight" Action Plan for Cook Inlet beluga whales. This plan outlines effort vital for stabilizing the population and preventing its extinction, and serve as road maps for recovery.

Remote biopsy sampling of whales has been shown to safely provide a small piece of skin and blubber that can be used for numerous scientific studies, including providing information on the sex, genetics, diet, and hormonal status (for stress, pregnancy, and sexual maturity) of individual whales. The benefits of a carefully designed and implemented biopsy study for Cook Inlet beluga whales should outweigh the potential risks, provided the questions being addressed are clearly linked to recovery and the methods employed do not have negative effects upon any individual’s fitness or on population recovery. NMFS Alaska Regional Office sponsored a workshop in April 2014 to gather expert opinion about the risks, benefits, and structure of a potential biopsy program prior to conducting any biopsy studies on the Cook Inlet beluga whales. The report from that biopsy workshop is available at:

http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga/workshop/cibbiopsyworkshop0614.pdf

One of the key themes and recommendations from the biopsy workshop participants was that prior to initiating a full-scale biopsy program for Cook Inlet beluga whales, a feasibility study should first be attempted to determine the least-risky and most-effective method of sampling (i.e., boat or shore; rifle or crossbow, etc.). Other important recommendations and comments from the workshop participants were that a biopsy project should employ someone very experienced in collecting biopsies using remote methods that field methods should take precautions to attempt to create the least disturbance possible to the whales, and that any such study should be closely linked with the long-term photo-identification project in order to maximize the information learned and to follow up on the biopsied animals to assess wound healing and general health. It was also noted that a feasibility study will indicate how much effort is needed to obtain a sufficient number of samples for each research and management question, and the level of disturbance that must be inflicted upon the whales to obtain that sample size.

In 2016 NMFS initiated a biopsy feasibility study of Cook Inlet beluga whales. That study tried both land and boat-based remote biopsy of Cook Inlet beluga whales using a biopsy rifle, and, as expected, demonstrated that Cook Inlet belugas could generally be biopsied from both land and boats with minimal disturbance.

The study also indicated that boat-based methods were more efficient at collecting samples, which, when combined with the broader areas where whales can be accessed from boats, suggest that boat-based sampling should be the primary biopsy method to be used in the future. A biopsy rifle was preferred because of the ability to regulate the velocity the biopsy dart is fired at based on distance to the whale.

Therefore, in 2017 the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) intends to conduct a scientific biopsy study of beluga whales in Cook Inlet, AK using a biopsy rifle where encountered whales are also photographed for individual identification. This coupled biopsy and photo-id http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga/workshop/cibbiopsyworkshop0614.pdf research is identified in the Cook Inlet beluga Species in the Spotlight action plan as a method of gaining a better understanding of population characteristics to ensure effective management actions result in recovery. The biopsies will be analyzed to determine the sex of the whale, sexual maturity, pregnancy status (for females), and stress hormone levels. Stable isotope and fatty acid analysis will be conducted as part of diet studies. Additionally, each sample will be genotyped to identify individuals.

Objectives To provide beluga biopsy services to the MML using a remotely fired biopsy rifle. The Contractor shall accompany MML staff on a biopsy survey to collect and provide biopsy samples to NMFS. The Contractor shall also provide instruction on best practices for approaching beluga whales for biopsy while causing the minimum disturbance possible. Under the NEPA and the ESA, biopsy data (with associated photo-ID data) are needed by MML and the Alaska Regional Office to manage the endangered population of Cook Inlet beluga whales and to improve their recovery.

Scope In September 2017, MML plans to conduct a nine (9) day biopsy survey of Cook Inlet beluga whales which will include the biopsy of individual whales. This contract is for biopsy services during the survey, consultation and instruction regarding best practices for biopsy of beluga whales causing the minimum disturbance possible, and for the fabrication of 30 biopsy dart tips.

Tasks The Contractor shall participate in MML’s biopsy survey which will occur from August 31 to September 10, 2017, with August 31 and September 10 being designated as travel days to and from Anchorage. Survey days potentially include all days between September 1 and 9. Exact dates and times within that period when the survey will occur will be determine by the MML Project Leader in consultation with the boat captain and will depend on weather. A typical day would be to launch a vessel from the Ship Creek Boat ramp in Anchorage, AK around 8:00am and return at around 5:00pm. Typically, the boat will be launched during a falling tide in order to work with whales at low tide, and the boat will be retrieved on the rising tide once there is enough water at the boat ramp to pull the boat out. Field operations will be conducted in the upper Cook Inlet; specifically work will be conducted in the Susitna Delta area, and in Knik Arm, especially Eagle Bay. During the survey, the Contractor shall train and advise MML staff on the best methods for collecting biopsy samples from beluga whales. All survey activities will be conducted under MML’s NMFS Scientific Research Permit #20465. MML will provide a boat, a boat captain, and a photographer. The Contractor shall provide a biopsy shooter and an experienced biopsy boat captain, along with a biopsy gun and associated equipment. The Contractor shall also provide 30 biopsy dart tips.

Delivery The Contractor is responsible for participating in the MML biopsy survey from August 31 to September 10, 2017, with August 31 and September 10 being designated as travel days to and from Anchorage. The survey will leave daily from the Ship Creek boat launch in Anchorage, AK, and be conducted in upper Cook Inlet, AK. During this survey, they will provide biopsy services and will advise MML staff on the best practices for biopsy of Cook Inlet beluga whales.

Government-Furnished Property, Material, Equipment, or Information (GFP, GFM, GFE, or GFI) The Government will provide all equipment necessary for the biopsy survey in which the Contractor will participate for nine (9) days other than the biopsy rifle and personal gear, and the fabricated biopsy darts and biopsy tips.

Security No security requirements.

Travel The Contractor is required to travel to and from the Ship Creek boat ramp during the biopsy survey.

Lodging expenses are expected but local transportation expenses are not expected.

Special Material Requirements The Contractor is required to provide a biopsy rifle for the project, preferably a larger bore biopsy rifle such as a Paxarm MK24c

Other Unique Requirements The Contractor must have at least 15 years’ experience of shooting biopsy darts at beluga whales, be technically proficient with and have at least 5 years’ experience in collecting biopsy samples using a larger bore biopsy rifle such as a Paxarm MK24c, and have at least 5 years’ experience collecting biopsy samples from a small, endangered population of whales while causing the minimal disturbance possible to the whales. Similarly, the Contractor must have at least 15 years’ experience of driving in close proximity to beluga whales for biopsy studies.

Place of Performance Survey work will be conducted daily in upper Cook Inlet, AK. The boat will be launched from the Ship Creek Boat ramp in Anchorage, AK. Biopsy operations will be conducted in the Susitna Delta and Knik Arm (primarily Eagle Bay) region. The location of the photographic analysis work will be determined in consultation with the Contractor.

Period of Performance Work will be conducted from August 31 2017 to 28 February 2018.