CEFAS26-75 ITT for provision of pelagic trawler vessel for the IESNS survey

Overview

Cefas requires a pelagic trawler, suitably equipped to participate in an acoustic-trawl survey. The survey is part of the international IESNS (International Ecosystem Survey in the Nordic Sea), a collaboration between Icelandic, Faroe, Norwegian, EU and UK research institutes which has been conducted since 1997. The survey is carried out to investigate distribution and migrations of the Norwegian Spring-spawning herring, blue whiting and other pelagic fish, and to produce a biomass index for herring and a recruitment index for blue whiting. The survey will cover the southern end of the distributional range of the spring-spawning herring population. Furthermore, data on the hydrographic conditions and plankton distribution will be obtained to investigate the possible effects of the ecosystem on the distribution and abundance of target fish species. 3. Estimated Contract Value The estimated Contract value is £400,000 (excluding vat) per survey / per annum. 4. Duration of the Contract The initial Contract period will be for 12 months from 1 April 2027 – 31 March 2028. Within that period, the actual survey is for a maximum of 13 days within the period of 20/04/2027 – 20/05/2027. Subject to confirmation of funding on an annual basis, further surveys in subsequent years may be required. If confirmed, these will be conducted within the same time period each year. The Contract will therefore include extension options for up to 2 further years, to be confirmed on an annual basis. Please note that there is no guarantee of further work beyond the initial Contract period. 5. Aims and Objectives The main objectives of the survey will be to: • carry out a predetermined survey cruise track collecting fisheries acoustic data • collect biological samples by directed trawling on insonified fish echotraces to determine species composition, size, age structure and maturity stage of target pelagic species. • collect physical oceanography data from vertical profiles (CTD). • collect plankton samples using ring-nets Cefas will provide a minimum of 6 scientists to oversee the survey operations, working with the vessel to deliver the scientific objectives of the survey. 6. Scope of Requirements 6.1. Survey activity An acoustic-trawl survey to map and quantify herring and blue whiting. This will be performed by continuously (24h) running acoustic transects and carrying out ad hoc midwater trawling within the survey area. Additional objectives will include collection of plankton and hydrographical data in the study area. 6.2. Survey area and time of operation The UK survey component will take place between Latitudes 62° and 69° North and Longitudes 13° West and 6° East (see full specification in bidder pack for total survey area and example of UK component in green). The survey will be a total of approximately 13 days and will be conducted within the period 20/04/2027 – 31/05/2027. The vessel must be available for 13 consecutive days (this excludes time to calibrate the echosounders in a suitable port as well as transit from berth port to requested mobilisation port) within this period and ideally commencing at the start of this period. Embarkation and disembarkation is required to take place in a Scottish mainland port e.g. Fraserburgh, Peterhead. 6.3. Vessel specification • The vessel must be a pelagic trawler with a length range of 50+ metres LOA • The vessel must be equipped with a working echosounder operating at 38 and 200 kHz (additional frequencies are preferrable but not mandatory). The frequencies must be split-beam. The preferred model of the echosounder is the SIMRAD ES80/EK80, although other models with equivalent scientific capability will be considered: (ES60, EK60) • The vessel must have a mid-water trawl with a vertical opening of approximately 30 m and skipper and crew must have experience deploying this gear and a track record of targeting herring and blue whiting in the study area. The trawl must have a codend liner, protruding from