SOW.docx

I. Project Background:

Bycatch of sea turtles in gillnet and longline fisheries have resulted in negative impacts on sea turtle populations, the oceanic food web, and commercial fisheries. Coastal gillnet fisheries are one of the most common forms of fishing throughout the world and the fisheries have been associated with significant cases of sea turtle bycatch. The Republic of Indonesia, which is comprised of 17,508 islands in Southeast Asia and Oceania, has a large number of artisanal fishermen spread across its archipelago, and the use of gillnets as a fishing technique is widespread. The islands provide both forage and nesting habitat for a number of sea turtle species in the region.

In order to reduce the impact of Indonesian coastal fisheries on sea turtles, it is important to understand the interaction rates between fisheries and protected species such as sea turtles. In addition, it is important to test the efficacy of bycatch reduction strategies, such as net illumination, to determine their potential usefulness in reducing those interactions. As such it is important to survey the incidence of sea turtle bycatch in Indonesian fisheries, establish fishery observer programs to quantify the bycatch rates, test potential bycatch reduction technologies, and create programs aimed at increasing the broader adoption of these technologies.

The Pacific leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is of particular concern as it is at risk of imminent extinction. Interactions with fisheries, both indirect as bycatch and direct as subsistence harvest, represent significant obstacles to the recovery of Pacific leatherbacks. While monitoring of index nesting beaches in Papua, Indonesia have been established to understand the population dynamics, nesting female leatherbacks that utilize these non-index nesting sites (i.e., sites outside of Papua, Indonesia) may comprise a smaller but potentially significant segment of the Western Pacific leatherback population. Such non-index leatherback nesting beaches may be more common than previously thought. Their protection may then play an important role in the broader recovery of the Western Pacific leatherback sea turtles.

II. Tasks:

NOAA seeks a contractor to carry out several tasks: 1) assess the interactions between sea turtles and fisheries throughout the Indonesian Archipelago, 2) conduct field trials to test the efficacy of net illumination as a bycatch reduction technique in Indonesian gillnet fisheries as well as work to increase its broader adoption potential, 3) establish a nest monitoring program in the Northern Maluku’s to robustly monitor and protect leatherback nesting in the region, 4) create a repository of DNA samples from sea turtles in the region and conduct genetic analysis of the samples to better understand the sea turtle population genetics in the region, 5) hold a workshop aimed at providing technical training for the above projects, and 6) participate in an International symposium (e.g. International Sea Turtle Symposium) to provide updates of the projects.

III. Description of Work:

1) Assess the interactions between sea turtles and fisheries throughout the Indonesian Archipelago: The contractor will conduct fishermen surveys of two regions in Indonesia to characterize the number of ports, their coastal fishing fleet (number, type, and size of vessels), the fishing gear (number, types, and sizes of nets), and fishing methodologies (seasonality, day/vs night). The report will also indicate general descriptions regarding target and non-target species capture rates.

2) The contractor will conduct field trials in a gillnet fishery (location will be jointly determined with NOAA) to determine the efficacy of bycatch reduction technologies (BRTs) (e.g. net illumination) as a sea turtle bycatch reduction strategy. Using a paired testing methodology, the contractor will provide catch and environmental data to determine the effects on the catch rates of sea turtles, fish, elasmobranchs, marine mammals and seabirds. Sample sizes must be sufficient in order to obtain statistically robust results and will be set in advance of the fishing season with approval from NOAA. The contractor will provide all necessary logistical support, including participating fishermen and fisheries observers. Secondly, the contractor will develop and carry out programs aimed and increasing broader adoption of the BRT. Thirdly, the contractor will provide a necessary platform during the trials to test novel electronic monitoring systems (EM systems). Experimental protocols must be approved by NOAA.

3) The contractor will establish and manage a nesting beach monitoring program in the Northern Maluku Islands to provide systematic leatherback nesting numbers and hatching success rates throughout the entire nesting season. In addition, the contractor will work to understand the threats to sea turtle nesting (including poaching threats and threats from predators) as well as develop methods to mitigate those threats. Lastly, contractors will develop the nesting beach monitoring program such that it provides a platform for satellite telemetry studies of the nesting female leatherback sea turtles. Protocols must be approved by NOAA.

4) Create a repository of DNA samples from sea turtles in the region and develop an understanding of sea turtle population genetics from the region: The contractors will establish a centralized repository for sea turtle DNA samples from the region. This will allow multiple projects to feed genetic samples, be housed safely and securely, prior to being processed. The contract will also work with academic partners to initiate the analysis of the sea turtle samples to better understand the population genetics from the region. Protocols must be approved by NOAA.

5) Hold a workshop aimed at providing technical training for the above projects: The contractor will initiate a 3 day workshop to ensure field staff that will be conducting the above projects are fully trained. Additional potential topics will include, database management, statistical analysis and modeling, analysis of telemetry data, as well as updates of ongoing projects.

6) Participate in an International symposium (i.e. International Sea Turtle Symposium) to provide updates of the projects.

IV. Deliverables:

All deliverables shall be sent to TO BE PROVIDED AT TIME OF AWARD via email.

Deliverable 1. Fishery Rapid Assessment:

Deliverables include a final report on rapid fishery assessments conducted in 2 locations characterizing the fishing fleets, target fish species, and sea turtle bycatch rates. (see above details). This report will includes map, photos, and data. (location will be agreed upon with NOAA).

Deliverable 2: BRT testing and adoption:

Deliverables include A) interim report that consists of field trial data in an Excel file. Data should include all collected data plus summarized data with graphs. This will include catch rate data of all species captured during field trials, and will include information on fishing methodology. Additionally, information will also be obtained on target species market values for each net set.

B) Final Report. This will include all obtained data that has been analyzed and submitted in report form to NOAA- Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). This final report will include: results of tests of the effectiveness of illuminating coastal gillnets with lights/lightsticks in reducing the bycatch of sea turtles along the coast of Indonesia. Summary of all field data, including maps, photos, graphs.

Comparisons of sea turtle capture rates, target capture rates, bycatch of other species capture rates, and catch values of experimental nets (illuminated nets) and control nets. In addition, the report will outline and describe the strategy developed and used to increase the broader adoption of the BRT in Indonesia as well as analysis of electronic monitoring systems deployed on fishing vessels.

Deliverable 3: Nesting Beach Monitoring Program in the Northern Maluku islands: Deliverables will include 2 reports. The first, a) interim report, will focus on the development of the nest monitoring program and include nesting data from the first half of the nesting season (Nov – Jan). The b) final report will focus on the entire nesting season and include pertinent information on the threats (predation and poaching) to the nesting sea turtles and their eggs. In addition, the final report will include information on the satellite tagging of leatherback sea turtles.

Deliverable 4: Sea turtle DNA repository and population genetics:

Deliverables include 2 reports. The first, a) interim report, will focus on the development of the sea turtle DNA sample repository, how it will be utilized to manage sample storage and how it will be used to initial a broader study of sea turtle population genetics. The b) final report, will outline how sea turtle samples have had genetic analysis performed and an understanding of the population genetics of sea turtles in the region.

Deliverable 5: Workshop:

Deliverables include a workshop report describing the outcomes of a workshop (minimum of 3 days) held with topics determined jointly with NOAA staff.

Deliverable 6: Participation in International Symposium:

Deliverables will include a participation report outlining participation and presentations given at an International Symposium (i.e. International Sea Turtle Symposium) providing updates on projects to a broad scientific audience.

V. Invoicing, and Estimated Payments

Payments will be issued based upon the deliverables as stated below.

Deliverable 1: Fishery Rapid Assessment Final Report (Due July 31, 2018) … 100% funds invoiced

Deliverable 2: BRT Testing and Adoption

Deliverable 3: Nesting Beach Monitoring Program

Deliverable 4: Sea Turtle DNA Repository and Population Genetics Interim Report… (Due Feb 15, 2018) 50% of funds invoiced Final Report…… (Due July 31, 2018) 50% of funds invoiced

Deliverable 5: Workshop Workshop report….. (Due July 31, 2018) 100% of funds invoiced

Deliverable 6: Participation in International Symposium Participation report…. (Due July 31, 2018) 100% of funds invoiced

VI. Special Qualifications:

1) The contractor shall have at least 5 years’ experience working with the fishing industry in Indonesia;

2) The contractor shall have at least 3 years’ experience conducting bycatch reduction projects in Indonesia;

3) The contractor shall have at least 3 years’ experience with fishery observers in Indonesia;

4) The contractor shall have at least 3 years’ experience with conducting fishery rapid assessments in Indonesia;

5) The contractor shall have experience with conducting nesting beach surveys in the Maluku Islands and proven capability of obtaining appropriate Indonesian permits to conduct research.

6) The contractor shall have fluency in both Indonesia Bahasa and English.