Cormorant Predation Advisory Service

Tender description

We are seeking to award a contract for a cormorant predation advisory service for a period of two years, commencing on 1st April 2017. The overall aim of the service is to ensure fishery owners, managers and anglers receive effective advice and information that helps resolve the issue of cormorant predation. The requirements for advisory service is that it:- • provides a service that helps resolve the pressures experienced by fisheries, and their owners or managers, where stocks are threatened by cormorants • provides a clear point of contact for those experiencing such problems • educates fishery owners, managers and anglers about predation issues and available options • ensures that fishery owners, managers and anglers take responsibility for their role in management and reduction of the identified issues • offers new and innovate ways (especially digital including social media) of engaging with fishery owners, manager and anglers and providing information Interested suppliers are expected to have relevant experience and knowledge to deliver the contract; they should previously have undertaken advisory work related to fish eating birds and the protection of fisheries from predation. It would be an advantage if the organisations and individuals involved have a good awareness of the relevant legislation and scaring techniques available. In 2013, the Government completed a review of the current licensing regime for fish-eating birds (cormorants, goosanders and red-breasted mergansers). The review was started in 2011, led by Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) officials with significant input from representatives from key government, conservation and fisheries bodies from across England, in the form of a 'Review Group'. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fish-eating-birds-management-policy-review