Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

Tender description

Using data survey and recording techniques developed with Natural Resource Wales (NRW), fishermen will collect, and experts will analyse and report on the location of marine features and fishing activity within Welsh Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Guided by NRW and Welsh Government’s (WG) Assessing Welsh Fishing Activities (AWFA) Project. the contractor will help fishermen survey the seabed in areas where the interaction between fishing and conservation interest has been highlighted as a potential issue. Specifically, the contractor will identify seabed features and confirm where fishing activity is taking place. Competitive Tender. EMFF project proposal specification for “Protecting our seas”. Client: Welsh Fishermen’s Association (WFA). Deadline for tender: 30.3.2018 Period of contract: 20 months. 1. Project Proposal; Using data survey and recording techniques developed with Natural Resource Wales (NRW), fishermen will collect, and experts will analyse and report on the location of marine features and fishing activity within Welsh Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Guided by NRW and Welsh Government’s (WG) Assessing Welsh Fishing Activities (AWFA) Project https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/our-projects/assessing-welsh-fishing-activities/?lang=en, the contractor will help fishermen survey the seabed in areas where the interaction between fishing and conservation interest has been highlighted as a potential issue. Specifically, the contractor will identify seabed features and confirm where fishing activity is taking place. 2. Scope of Work; 2.1 Seabed survey; To ensure data quality and compatibility with NRW’s data format, the contractor will agree data gathering methods and standards, data type, analysis and reporting with NRW. In collaboration with NRW and guided by the Video Survey Handbook produced jointly between NRW’s predecessor (Countryside Council for Wales), WFA and Seafish in 2013, the consultant shall undertake the following: — Agree a seabed survey plan with NRW and WFA, which will include survey areas, techniques and timing, — With assistance from WFA, plan the survey work with fishermen, — Work with the fishermen to survey the seabed using the agreed survey equipment, such as sonar and video, — Analyse the survey data to identify and categorise seabed habitats, — Create seabed habitats GIS layers, and — Report on the survey method, analytical method, results and location of seabed features. 2.2 Fishing activity mapping Advised by NRW and assisted by WFA, the contractor will identify and map the spatial and temporal nature of fishing activities in areas of interest. The precise nature of fishing, including gear type, deployment, seasonality, target species and environmental factors influencing fishing behaviour such as the weather, temperature, water clarity will all be taken into account. The method, reporting and presentation of the data will also be agreed with NRW. The work will specifically involve: — With assistance from WFA, identify fishermen to be interviewed and provide data, — Where appropriate analyse fish plotter and Welsh Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) data (which is currently mandatory on vessels dredging for scallops in Welsh waters), — Where agreed work with WFA and Succorfish (who manage the deployment of I-VMS in Welsh waters) to deploy I-VMS on fishing vessels and report on the data, — Create fishing activity GIS layers; and, — Report on the methods, results and mapping of fishing activity. 3. Quotation & Costings The contractor should provide a quotation based on 5 directed surveys of the seabed and fishing activity in each of the three MPAs, which details: (i) How the 2 elements of the project will be undertaken, by whom and time against each contributor. (ii) A 20-month proposed schedule to include a timeline, rates and quote for: — Meetings with NRW, WFA, the advisory group and fishermen, — Survey preparation including arrangements with fishermen, — Equipment preparation, — Seabed and fishing activity survey. Data analysis and presentation; — Creation of GIS layers, — Presentation meeting at final report stage, — Report to include a methodology and a protocol for future fisher data collection, — Any additional services considered necessary, and — A total estimated time and cost. iii) Experience of undertaking, analysing and presenting seabed habitat surveys and fishing activity maps, and working with fishermen. iv) References for all staff involved in the project to include relevant experience, knowledge and publications. For more information contact WFA on: office@wfa-cpc.co.uk