Horse Mackerel Egg Survey 2016

Tender description

A requirement exists for the charter of a commercial fishing vessel for a period of 14 days to survey whether the spawning of horse mackerel is extending later in the year in ICES divisions VI and VII using a GULF VII plankton sampler, to be provided by the Marine Institute. The Project is funded by the provision of additional quota allocation (scientific quota) of mackerel and/or horse mackerel from the Irish TAC. Vessels are invited to tender on the basis of their ability to undertake the survey schedule. This comprises following a pre-determined cruise track in the order of 3,000 nmi (nautical miles), over a maximum of 14 days, including mob and demob time. The survey will operate 24 hours a day and will involve directed plankton tows, using a GULF VII high speed plankton sampler, carried out on a series of transects every half ICES statistical rectangle, 0.5 degrees. The survey will work from south to north and sample every second transect initially, until the entire survey area is covered. If time allows the intervening transects will be sampled on the return leg, if not egg numbers will be interpolated using standard WGMEGS protocols.