Statement_of_Work_Inshore_CPS_Sampling.pdf

NOAA/NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

SOUTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

FISHERIES RESOURCES DIVISION

STATEMENT OF WORK

INSHORE ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL PELAGIC SPECIES BIOMASS OFF

WASHINGTON AND OREGON

I. Background/Overview:

The Fisheries Resources Division (FRD) at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) monitors Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) stocks off of the west coast of the United States as outlined by the CPS Fishery Management Plan (CPS-FMP) of the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The CPS assemblage is comprised of six species of marine fishes including the economically valuable Pacific Sardine (Sardinops sagax). This contract is for the charter of a vessel to facilitate collection of acoustic data, biological samples, and validation of acoustic data using purse seines for CPS in shallow waters off of the coast of Washington and Oregon.

The northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine spawns primarily in offshore water off southern and central California in the spring and moves north to feed in early summer off the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and British Columbia, during favorable ocean conditions. For this reason, an Acoustic Trawl Methodology (ATM) survey is conducted annually from southern California to British Columbia by the SWFSC to provide data on biomass for annual stock assessments, which feeds into the annual harvest guideline calculation and determines the number of metric tons allowed for commercial harvest each year.

II. Scope of Work

The ATM survey primarily operates in waters greater than 50 m deep. This leaves a portion of the available habitat for Pacific Sardine and other CPS un-surveyed due to the limitations of operating a large oceanographic survey vessel in shallow waters. This contract proposal seeks to charter a commercial purse seine vessel (PSV) that will perform acoustic and biological surveys in conjunction with the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker and with the assistance of on-board NMFS technician/s. The PSV will accompany the Rueben Lasker and perform acoustic and biological surveys along inshore portions of established transect lines. This contract proposal will contribute additional information on the biomass of CPS species in waters previously un-surveyed, and will provide validation of acoustic data and additional biological samples that will enhance the SWFSC’s ability to improve its stock assessment for Pacific Sardine and other CPS.

III. Tasks

The contract goal is to charter a PSV to oversee ship-board operations to facilitate collection of acoustic and biological data for CPS in conjunction with the Rueben Lasker along established transect lines with the assistance of on-board NMFS technician/s.

Task 1 – The contractor will oversee all aspects of ship-board operations and will assist NMFS on-board technician/s with the collection of data and preservation of samples as necessary.

Task 2 – Conduct complementary acoustic data sampling in coordination with the Reuben Lakser off of Washington and Oregon. PSV will coordinate with Reuben Lasker and conduct inshore surveys along established survey lines inshore of the surveys conducted by the Reuben Lasker. Three (3) to five (5) acoustic transect shall be run per day (not to exceed 36 transects) over a maximum period of ten (10) sea days. PSV may be required to remain at sea for multiple days depending on logistics of sampling plan as coordinated with the Rueben Lasker.

Task 3 – Conduct purse-seine validation of acoustic data. Following acoustic transects, PSV will conduct purse seine on no less than 10, but no more than 25 schools of CPS identified by acoustic survey technician/s over the survey period. Approximate catch composition will be recorded, and up to 100 sardine samples per set will be retained for age composition studies following survey.

IV. Period of Performance

Base Year: 15 September 2018 – 14 September 2019.

V. Place of Performance

All work for this contract shall take place in the nearshore coastal waters off of Washington and/or Oregon in conjunction with the survey efforts of the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker. PSV is expected to begin sampling the nearshore strip of the Washington Coast 5 miles north of Rueben Lasker’s transect 101 (Latitude 47.678° N) and continue south as far as Newport, OR.

VI. Deliverable Schedule

All data (acoustic and biological) will be collected and delivered to NMFS personnel in near-real-time aboard the PSV through coordination with onboard NMFS technician/s. Survey period is anticipated to fall between 1 June 2019 and 31 August 2019 and is subject to change. All services will be completed no later than 31 August 2019.

VII. Government-Furnished Property (GFP)

The SWFSC will provide acoustic transceiver (Simrad EK60 or Simrad EK80) and technician/s for collection of acoustic data. NMFS will provide up to two (2) technicians for operation of Simrad EK60. All data collected will be the property of the U.S. government.

VIII. Security Requirements

N/A

IX. Applicable Standards

PSV must adhere to U.S. Coast Guard safety standards.

X. Special Requirements

The vendor shall provide the vessel, equipment, and crew appropriate to conduct the work described above. Crew shall include a minimum of vessel captain and three crew. PSV shall be of sufficient size and draft to conduct described work and be a minimum of 45’ length overall.

Vessel shall also be capable of accommodating at least two fishery scientists in a smoke-free berthing area if overnight stays are determined necessary to complete sampling plan. The charter is required to provide three (3) meals, water and non-alcoholic drinks each day for all personnel in the event of overnight stays, and two (2) meals, water and non-alcoholic drinks each day if vessel is in port prior to 1800 hrs. The vessel shall have a private, clean and working toilet facility.

Minimum required electronics include Foruno 250 sonar, GPS plotter with updated maps, VHF radio, and ship-to-shore communications device. Vessel shall be equipped with and utilize AIS during the period of the contract. At least two 110v outlets shall be provided in working areas inside the deckhouse where scientists can plug-in and work on personal laptop computers.

Access to low pressure saltwater on deck is required. The vessel shall have a freezer and/or sufficient ice box for storage of biological samples.

Vessel MUST be equipped with a hull-mounted Simrad 38 kHz split bean transducer (ES38-B) compatible with Simrad EK60 or Simrad EK80 transceiver.

Maintenance of Marine Insurance Coverage is required, and the cost to be borne by the vendor.

During the full period of this contract the Contractor shall maintain the customary full form marine insurance coverage on the vessels including Hull and Machinery and Liability- P&I, taking into account scientific personnel on board. The expense of this insurance shall be for the Contractor’s account, and shall be deemed to be included in the hire payable under this contract.

Copies of the insurance policy shall be provided by the Contractor as technical information with the quote package.

PSV crew shall be responsible for all purse seine operations. PSV shall provide all equipment necessary to conduct purse seines.

Fuel shall be provided by the vendor and included in the contract price as part of the daily rate.

Any Port Services which may include port and moorage fees, will be included in the contract price daily rate, and broken out per item in the proposal.

Data on interactions with marine mammals, turtles, or birds will be recorded by on-board NMFS technician/s. Any interactions with marine mammals, turtles or Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed birds shall be reported by scientists as soon as practical to Dale Sweetnam (office: 858- 546-7170, cell: 858-750-8720).

XI. Required Knowledge and Experience:

Selected vendor must have the following qualifications:

Demonstrated knowledge in, and capacity to provide a PSV equipped with, infrastructure for mounting and deployment of Simrad EK60 echosounder.

A vessel captain with 5+ years experience using a purse seine to collect CPS.