‘Where are the mink?’ - Study on mink distribution and management options in Wales

Tender description

The Wales Resilient Ecological Network (WaREN) project is establishing a sustainable and collaborative approach to tackling invasive non-native species (‘invasive species’ or ‘INNS’) across Wales. Invasive species are one of the main drivers of biodiversity decline globally. The environmental, economic, and social impact of invasive species in Wales will continue to grow unless they are tackled with a sustainable and joined-up approach. We wish to appoint an organisation (or organisations) to conduct a feasibility study relating to mink (Neovision vison), its distribution and its management and control in Wales and to scope options for establishing a mink forum for Wales including (but not limited to) conducting a stakeholder analysis to identify possible forum members. The aim is to improve the strategic approach with joined-up efforts. Preference will be given to study proposals that address the following: - Analysis of current evidence on mink distribution in Wales (including mink ‘hotspot’ maps for Wales). - Identify current control and management efforts in Wales (e.g. through projects), and where there are gaps in the effort. - Identify and describe the options for monitoring the distribution and control of mink, including the most cost-effective options (e.g. GPS technology). - Scoping the feasibility of establishing a mink forum in Wales; identifying lessons learnt from other similar forums. - Identify the potential members for the mink forum and engage with relevant stakeholders (e.g. with semi-structured interviews). At least one workshop to bring potential forum members together. The successful organisation will need to deliver a feasibility study report (with input from the WaREN team) meeting the above requirements. It should include the following: - Study plan with aims and objectives (agreed by WaREN Project Manager). This should include an Ethics Statement and/or GDPR Statement if applicable - Comprehensive Risk Assessment including biosecurity considerations (if applicable) - Collection of required data through agreed methods - Analysis of data (with the potential involvement of study participants) - A clear set of recommendations (i.e. a ‘way forward’) and a clear statement of feasibility (including issues such as affordability and intellectual property) The successful organisation will be required to have the feasibility study report finalised and agreed upon with the WaREN Project Manager by early June 2023.