Characterisation Survey of the Tawain Lagoonal Site 2020

Tender description

Coastal Lagoons are identified in Annex I of the Habitats Directive as a “Priority Habitat” and therefore in need of special protection. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG), through the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), is responsible for the conservation of natural habitats and species in Ireland. A large area of potential Coastal lagoons habitat in inner Galway Bay was brought to the attention of the NPWS Scientific Unit in 2018. This site is located between the mainland at Mweeloon and Tawin Island and lies within the boundary of the Galway Bay Complex SAC (000268) which is designated for this Annex I priority habitat. In order to confirm that the area identified meets the criteria for classification as the Annex I habitat Coastal lagoons, and is of sufficient quality to be included as part of that qualifying interest for the SAC, a characterisation of the site is required. Therefore a survey of the hydrological regime, the barriers, water quality and biological elements of the site is to be commissioned. The National Parks & Wildlife Service of DCHG now invites tenders for the provision of ecological services to carry out a characterisation survey of the Tawain Lagoonal site. See RfT Document for further details.