SOW.docx

Statement of Work Small Scale Fisheries (SSF) technology testing for in Baja California, Mexico.

Background:

Incidental capture of marine megafauna (e.g. sea turtles) by fishing gear through both hooking, entanglement, and entrapment is a threat to the survival of animal populations throughout the world. To assist the recovery of threatened species such as sea turtle populations, it is NOAA’s goal to understand and assess the level of bycatch in fisheries as well as identify and promote use of alternative fishing methods that minimizes threats to marine megafun.

NOAA seeks a contractor to coordinate and conduct the testing of assessment tools and bycatch reduction technologies in fishing field trials with small scale fisheries. Such experiments will be done in coordination with NOAA scientists and determine the efficacy of such gear on assessment capabilities or on the capture rate of target and non-target, or bycatch, species. Work will be conducted off the coast of Baja California, Mexico in coastal small scale fisheries. Findings generated from this work should be transferable to coastal fisheries worldwide.

Description of Work:

The NOAA -Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) seeks to determine the efficacy of using electronic monitoring systems to better assess small scale fisheries. In addition, PIFSC seeks to determine if placing sensory cues in coastal fishing gear can act as a deterrent to the entanglement of marine megafauna (e.g. sea turtles and other endangered, threatened species). The methodology employed should replicate previous efforts undertaken by NOAA and must be approved by NOAA scientists.

The contractor will conduct field trials in artisanal fisheries located in Baja California, Mexico in locations with known abundance of sea turtles, marine mammals, sharks, rays, and fish species. Comparisons between traditional and experimental nets will be conducted using a paired testing methodology. The contractor will provide all logistics to enable fishing activity, testing of gear, acquisition of data, and data management. Sample sizes will be sufficient in order to obtain statistically robust results. Experimental protocols must be approved by NOAA.

NOAA seeks a contractor to carry out three specific tasks:

1) Coordinate and conduct scientifically robust field trials to test a) fisheries assessment tools such as electronic monitoring devices and b) bycatch reduction technologies using traditional and experimental fishing gears to determine the potential utility of a modification in reducing the incidental capture of marine megafauna such as sea turtles;

2) Provide a written report of the results that form the basis for submission to peer review scientific journal; and

3) Incorporate students (e.g. high school, college, and graduate students) from under represented demographics in the research process.

Specific Tasks:

1) Provide all personnel and logistics to support fishery based experiments in Baja California (e.g. in Bahia de Los Angeles and Punta Abreojos, Baja California, Mexico). This includes preparation for field season while based in San Diego, California.

2) Ensure that all necessary permits and permission for the research is obtained.

5) Provide opportunities for underserved students (e.g. high school, college, and graduate students) to be involved in the research.

6) Present results at a scientific meeting.

Deliverables:

All deliverables shall be sent to to be provided at time of award via email.

A. Preliminary Report 1: describing personnel and logistical support for field based season.

B. Preliminary report 2: field trial data in Excel format. 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.

C. Final Report. Results of comparisons of marine megafauna capture rates, target capture rates, bycatch of other species capture rates, and catch values of experimental nets (illuminated nets) and control nets. Will include a report on educational component.

Qualifications:

Contractors must have following qualifications:

Invoicing and Estimated Payments:

Three payments will be issued in accordance with the Deliverables listed above.