1._SOW-_Bycatch_and_Mortality_Reduction_Research.docx

Statement of Work

I. Project Title: Bycatch and Mortality Reduction Research

II. Background:

The International Fisheries Program within the Fisheries Biology and Stock Assessment Branch of Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center is working collaboratively to identify mechanisms to reduce fisheries bycatch and mortality, primarily of protected species such as sea turtles, sharks, marine mammals and seabirds. NOAA seeks a contractor to assist with bycatch and mortality reduction research aimed at species such as elasmobranches and sea turtles. Two main projects include A) Post-release assessment of marine species in a Hawaiian based fishery, AND B) Development of bycatch reduction devices aimed at reducing incidental capture of sharks and other bycatch (e.g. sea turtles, marine mammals, sea birds).

A) Post-release assessment of marine species in a Hawaiian based fishery:

Bigeye thresher sharks (Alopias superciliosus) are the target of a burgeoning catch and release sport fishery in Kona, Hawaii. The major underlying assumption of catch and release (CR) fishing is that released fishes enjoy high survivorship and continue to grow and reproduce. However, physiological stress associated with struggling during capture may be sufficient to cause mortality after fish are released, raising concerns about the true sustainability of CR fishing particularly for long lived species with low reproductive output. In addition, although bigeye thresher sharks have a broad geographic range there is no data on the basic stock structure or migration patterns of bigeye thresher sharks around Hawaii.

B) Development of bycatch reduction devices:

Coastal gillnet fisheries are one of the most common forms of fishing throughout the world and have high rates of bycatch of multiple species. Despite the ubiquitous nature gillnets and their associated levels of bycatch, there are few bycatch reduction technologies (BRTs) available. Recent research has shown that Illuminating gillnets with battery powered lightsticks resulted in a significant reduction of bycatch of multiple taxonomic groups. Such findings demonstrate the potential utility of using battery powered LED lights throughout a variety of global fisheries. A major hurdle to the broader adoption of this bycatch reduction strategy has been the design of the lightsticks and the cost of such lights. Battery powered LED lights currently on the market were developed for industrial scale longline fisheries and meant for deployment on the branch lines. While these lights can be adapted for gillnet fisheries, there design creates operational difficulties such as requiring slower deployment time, increased entanglement of gear, and difficult with use in gillnet reels.

III. Objectives and Scope of Work A) Post-release assessment of marine species in a Hawaiian based fishery:

NOAA seeks a contractor to initiate and carry out an investigation into the movements and post release survival rates of bigeye thresher sharks around Hawaii. This will require the successful deployment of 12 satellite tags on bigeye thresher sharks caught off Kona, Hawaii, as approved by NOAA scientists as well as a measurement of fight times of each shark.

B) Development of bycatch reduction devices NOAA seeks a contractor to initiate the development of LED light sticks designed specifically to reduce bycatch in gillnet fisheries. The ideal design would be cost effective in order to help fisheries in developing countries afford such bycatch reduction technologies. A minimum of 3 different designs will be manufactured in sample quantities for fishermen to examine and provide comments.

IV. Tasks to be completed by contractor A) Post-release assessment of marine species in a Hawaiian based fishery:

B) Development of bycatch reduction device:

(1) The contractor, in collaboration with NOAA scientists, will develop 3 potential battery powered LED lightsticks designs each consisting of housing designs and the needed electronic components to maximize LED brightness and power consumption. The contractor will provide all CAD designs of housing and circuit board designs for the 3 protoype LED lightsticks.

(2) Produce sample quantities (minimum of 10) of each of the 3 designs.

(3) Aid in the distribution of these sample LED light sticks to small scale gillnet fisheries based in Indonesia, Mexico, and Peru and generate feedback from fishermen.

V. Special Requirements

(1) The contractor must have a proven record of developing bycatch reduction technologies aimed at reducing shark and sea turtle bycatch for a variety of fisheries such as longline, gillnet, and trawl fisheries.

(2) The contractor must have experience working in Indonesian, Mexican, and South American small-scale fisheries.

VI. Invoicing And Deliverable Schedule:

A) Post-release assessment of marine species in a Hawaiian based fishery:

effort and success.

25%

B) Development of bycatch reduction device:

from small scale fishermen 50%

IX. Government-Furnished Property (GFP):

NOAA-PIFSC researchers will provide 12 satellite tags to be deployed on bigeye thresher sharks caught off the coast of Kona, Big Island, Hawaii in concert with contractor.

X. Principal Contacts

1) Project Officers Dr. Yonat Swimmer, NOAA – PIFSC, Yonat.swimmer@noaa.gov Dr. John Wang, NOAA-PIFSC, John.wang@noaa.gov