18-03235_Beluga_Photo_ID_SOW.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) – Photo-ID Cook Inlet Beluga

NFFS7300-18-03235

Background The Cook Inlet beluga whale population has declined significantly from 1979 when the population was estimated at approximately 1,300 whales, to a current 2016 estimate of 328 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 serves as a road map for recovery.

A photo-identification study of Cook Inlet beluga whales has been conducted by the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project since 2005 (https://www.cookinletbelugas.com/) . The this study has confirmed that most beluga whales photographed in upper Cook Inlet possess distinct natural marks that persist across years, and these marks can be effectively identified and re-sighted with digital photography. The photo identification catalog and associated surveys can provide information about the distribution, movement patterns, and life history characteristics for many individually identified beluga whales, including mothers with calves.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, NMFS Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) intends to conduct a scientific biopsy study of beluga whales in Cook Inlet, AK in 2018 where encountered whales are photographed for individual identification. This coupled biopsy and photo-id 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. To conduct this research, whales which are encountered during the biopsy survey will be photographed. These photographs will be analyzed to identify individual whales and then compared to the existing Photo ID catalog of Cook Inlet belugas (CIB Photo ID catalog). Comparing photographs of biopsied whales with the CIB Photo ID catalog and incorporating them into the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo ID Project dataset (CIB Photo dataset) will provide a multidimensional record of individual histories, to include information on movements, fitness, and individual health.

Additionally, MML is conducting a UAS (drone)-based photogrammetry study of Cook Inlet beluga whales, and wants whales identified from the UAS overhead photographs matched to the CIB Photo ID catalog. This will allow whales with measured lengths and estimated age classes to be connected to their sighting history in the CIB Photo ID catalog. The overhead photos can also help link left and right sides of whales in the CIB Photo ID catalog, to help unify their catalogue.

Finally, the experiences of the first year of linking identification photographs of Cook Inlet beluga whales collected by MML with the CIB Photo ID catalog has highlighted the need for MML staff and the curators of the CIB Photo ID catalog to hold a small workshop to review and discuss Cook Inlet beluga photo-identification methods and processing, in order to make coordination of the two efforts more efficient.

https://www.cookinletbelugas.com/

Objectives To provide beluga photographic identification services to the NMFS MML. The Contractor shall: 1) participate in a 1-2 day workshop with MML staff to review and discuss Cook Inlet beluga photo-identification methods and processing, 2) review the results from NMFS MML’s processing of photographs from biopsied individuals to ensure that all biopsied individuals are identified, 3) compare the photographs of the identifiable whales to the existing CIB Photo ID catalog and incorporate them into the CIB Photo dataset, ) provide a spreadsheet with the individual identification histories of whales identified during the biopsy survey using the information available from the CIB Photo dataset. Data on individual whales are needed to fully interpret the biopsy data being collected concurrently. Under the NEPA and the ESA, photo-id and biopsy data are needed by the NMFS Alaska Regional Office and NMFS MML to manage the endangered population of Cook Inlet beluga whales and to improve their recovery.

A second objective (see below) is also specified. The Contractor shall 1) review the results of MML’s processing of photographs of whales identified from the MML UAS-based photogrammetry study, 2) compare the photographs of identifiable whales from the UAS study to the existing CIB Photo ID catalog, 3) provide a spreadsheet with the results of matching of each whale identified by MML, and provide a spreadsheet with the identification history of each whale matched to the CIB Photo ID catalog.

Scope In July and September 2018, the NMFS MML plans to conduct two biopsy surveys (6 and 7 days, respectively) of Cook Inlet beluga whales which will include the photographic identification of individual whales. This contract is for photographic identification services to match photographs collected by the MML with the CIB Photo ID catalog.

Tasks Task 1 The Contractor shall participate in a 1-2 day workshop to review and discuss Cook Inlet beluga photo-identification methods and processing, to be scheduled by mutual agreement between the contractor and MML staff. Ideally this will occur early in the contract, such as in October, so MML staff can incorporate any suggested changes into their photo processing methods.

The Contractor will match photographs of Cook Inlet beluga whales biopsied by MML to the CIB Photo ID catalog. MML will process photographs of each biopsied whale and create a subset of the best photographs of each identifiable individual. Copies of all photographs will be given to the Contractor who shall review the photographs and match them to the CIB Photo ID catalog.

The Contractor shall provide a report detailing the results of the photographic matching process and the complete individual sighting histories of the whales photographed during the biopsy project. The individual histories shall include, but not be limited to, the whale identification number, dates and locations of all sightings across all years, fitness, and individual health as available in the CIB Photo dataset. The contractor should provide this information as a table, and should also provide a digital spreadsheet containing the same information.

Task 2 The Contractor shall match photographs of whales identified from the MML UAS photogrammetry study. MML will process photographs of each whale photographed from the UAS and given a temporary Identification, and create a subset of the best photographs of each identifiable individual. Copies of all photographs will be given to the Contractor who shall review the photographs and match them to the CIB Photo ID catalog.

Delivery The Contractor is responsible for reviewing and advising MML on the processing of individual identification photographs collected during MML surveys and incorporating the photographs of identifiable whales into the existing CIB Photo ID catalog and CIB Photo dataset. The Contractor is responsible for providing a spreadsheet of all the individual histories of the identified whales using the information available from the CIB Photo dataset. This report can be emailed to the Technical Point of Contact and the MML Project Leader and should be delivered by the end of the period of performance.

The Contractor is responsible for providing capture histories for each individual in the CIB Photo dataset from 2005 to 2017, including date and location, together with any available ancillary information.

Sample time table:

October 16-18 2018 Contractor participates in workshop reviewing photo processing with MML staff. MML will provide final set of UAS photographs with temporary IDs from 2017 field season.

November 1 2018 MML provides temporary ID photos of biopsied whales to Contractor

January 15 2019 Contractor shall provide progress report on matching of biopsy IDs and any UAS photographs that have been processed.

May 15 2019 Contractor shall provide interim report including final matching of biopsied whales and a progress report on matching of UAS photographs that have been processed.

1 August 2019 MML will provide final set of UAS photographs with temporary IDs from 2018 field season.

15 December 2019 Final report due.

Government-Furnished Property, Material, Equipment, or Information (GFP, GFM, GFE, or GFI) None provided.

Security No security requirements.

Travel The Contractor is required to travel to Seattle to participate in a workshop with MML staff.

Special Material Requirements The Contractor is required to have access to the CIB Photo ID catalog and CIB Photo dataset. These are the only photo-id catalog and photo-id dataset for Cook Inlet beluga whales. Access to this catalog and this database is required for the task of providing historical information on photographically identified Cook Inlet beluga whales. This historical information is critical to fully interpret the biopsy data being collected concurrently. Under the NEPA and the ESA, photo-id and biopsy data are needed by AKR and MML to manage the endangered population of Cook Inlet beluga whales and to improve their recovery.

Other Unique Requirements The Contractor must have at least 10 years’ experience with and be technically proficient in collecting and analyzing high resolution digital photographs of Cook Inlet beluga whales for the purposes of photographically identifying individuals.

Place of Performance The location of the photographic analysis work will be determined in consultation with the Contractor.

Period of Performance Work will be conducted from 1 October 2018 to 15 December 2019.