Bycatch Monitoring Programme

Tender description

The current UK Bycatch Monitoring Programme (BMP) has been operating for over a decade. The programme investigates bycatch of sensitive marine species using observers onboard fishing vessels, enabling assessment of risk and bycatch rates in UK fisheries. With the repeal and replacement of Regulation (EC) 812/2004 and the UK’s departure from the European Union, we are taking this opportunity to review and update the monitoring programme to ensure a comprehensive approach to support improved understanding of sensitive species bycatch (i.e. dolphins, whales and porpoises; seals; seabirds; turtles; and sharks, skates and rays) within UK waters. The Authority is seeking to make the market aware of the upcoming procurement need and to establish interested parties in bidding for the BMP contract. The Authority would like to expand the current BMP remit to increase monitoring coverage and sampling effort, and to integrate other methods of monitoring. The Authority believes there could be advantages to having many experts and organisations working together on this contract and therefore would consider a consortium approach. The project will be advertised using the Authority’s e-sourcing system (Bravo) under the Open Procedure route. Lot 1: The contract is due to commence 1st April 2022 and will be for an initial pilot period of 3 years. Following this period, we hope to consider a longer-term contract such as 10 years. The purpose of this PIN is to provide the market with an overview of the type of service required and an opportunity for organisations to engage with one another if that is the approach they decide to take. We are also looking for feedback at a high-level on what would be possible to be delivered within the budget of £1,050,000 for the 3-year period. The objectives of the BMP contract will be set out in the full specification but will include: • Collecting monitoring data on bycatch of cetaceans, seabirds, seals, elasmobranchs, and turtles and using this to generate annual estimates of bycatch rates. • Building on the existing programme by bringing together data from a combination of validated monitoring methods to improve our understanding of how and where bycatch is occurring. • Contributing to assessments including identifying high-risk situations (e.g. areas, gear types, fisheries) for bycatch and contributing to evaluations of the effectiveness of mitigation measures (such as Acoustic Deterrent Devices) in reducing bycatch. Additional information: If you are interested in bidding for this contract, please email Alison Dyson - al.dyson@environment-agency.gov.uk, providing me with your contact name, company name, address, tel. and email address. I will keep a record of your details and inform you when the tender goes live, in early October. Closing date for interest to be registered is by 17:00 hrs on Friday 10 Sept 21.