Seabird Tracking Study in Northwest Ireland 2022

Tender description

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the conservation of natural habitats and species and the protection of biological diversity in Ireland. The coastal areas of the northwest of Ireland hosts important concentrations of breeding seabirds. A number of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have been classified under Directive 2009/147/EC for the protection of these seabird colonies in this region. These SPAs are primarily focused on the breeding birds’ terrestrial nesting sites. Ireland’s process of identifying and classifying marine SPAs is ongoing. Further knowledge of the foraging areas of these breeding seabird populations are required to provide an evidence base to inform sound conservation management including the derivation of fit for purpose SPA boundaries. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is now seeking tenders for the provision of a telemetry study focused on three specific seabird species at three particular SPAs in the northwest of Ireland during the 2022 breeding season. A detailed specification of the Department’s technical requirements is set out in the attached RfT document. A strict schedule of deliverables will be agreed with the successful tenderer, with the contract expected to commence well in advance of the breeding season and to conclude no later than 30th September 2022.