CEFAS26-78 Contract for the provision of a marine environmental survey vessel.

Overview

Cefas and Natural England (NE) have been working collaboratively to deliver a monitoring survey within the Kentish Knock East (KKNE) Marine Protected Areas (MPA) as part of the ongoing MPA monitoring programme funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Through this programme, Cefas co-ordinates some of the evidence collection for the monitoring of MPAs in English waters. The survey aims to support NE’s monitoring objectives and provide robust evidence to inform conservation measures (Type 1 monitoring) as well as at assessing the recovery of benthic habitats after the implementation of proposed management measures within the MPA (Type 3 monitoring). The first part of the survey at KKNE was undertaken in November 2025 and focuses on grab sampling. However, the data collection could not be completed due to equipment failure. Cefas and NE are therefore seeking to deliver the remaining objectives of the survey: 1. Monitor the extent and distribution of sediment Broadscale Habitats (BSH) through the acquisition of imagery data, using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) as the primary system, with a Drop-Down Video (DDV) camera as a back-up. 2. Monitor the carbon content of sediment BSH features through the collection of sediment imagery, using a Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) camera. Objective 1 above will be conducted in collaboration with a team from the University of Southampton (UoS). Survey design: The KKNE survey design adopts a Before-After Control-Impact approach and a box design, to collect data from within the MPA and in control areas outside the site boundary. The boxes are labelled Case Study Areas (CSAs): two located within the MCZ (‘impact’) and two corresponding CSAs outside the MCZ (‘control’). Each CSA has an approximate area of 8-9 km2 and were positioned to avoid existing infrastructure in the MPA such as a power cable running through the south of the site (Figure 1). A 1nm buffer was applied to all infrastructure to delineate the survey boxes following the recommendation of the Crown Estate Seabed survey licence (arranged by Natural England). Each control CSA has been selected for comparable fishing pressure, and environmental conditions (e.g. depth and sediment type). Vessel Specification Requirement: Cefas requires provision of a marine environmental survey vessel for a single mobilisation of up to 6 survey days, planned at neap tide in September or October 2026 (exact dates will be agreed post-award). Cefas requires the use of an MCA (MISW) “small workboat” class Category 2 coded survey vessel to support deployment and recovery of environmental survey equipment with a maximum single lift of up to 400 kg. The vessel will act as a deployment and recovery platform for equipment operated by: • University of Southampton (UoS) – mini Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). • Cefas – Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) and Drop-Down Video (DDV) camera; and Cefas/UoS/NE will be responsible for survey planning, deployed equipment, equipment operation and data acquisition. The Supplier will allow for and assist in the vessel being mobilised by a team of up to 5 Cefas personnel to undertake: • Mini AUV (~100 kg) deployment and recovery operations The Supplier will provide safe vessel positioning and competent deck operations to support repeated AUV launch and recovery cycles throughout the survey period. • SPI camera (up to 400kg) deployment and recovery At each station selected by Cefas/UoS/NE (to be confirmed at start-up meeting), the SPI will be deployed (maximum of 10 stations per CSA). At each station the camera will be deployed, and five replicates (“hops”) will be collected, between each hop the camera will be raised and the vessel moved 5 m. Two images are collected at each replicate, giving a total of 10 images per station. The location of the sampling station will be provided at the start up meeting. Cefas will provide an engineer that can support/advise on deployment and recovery. •