Purse seiner and crew required for 2025 sampling of sockeye salmon near Haida Gwaii, British Columbia

PROJECT TITLE Purse seiner and crew required for 2025 sampling of sockeye salmon near Haida Gwaii, BC.

OBJECTIVES The objective of the contract is to catch, sample and tag sockeye salmon near Haida Gwaii. Sampling will be used to gather biological information and deploy acoustic telemetry and satellite tags to estimate sockeye salmon survival rates during return migrations.

SCOPE OF WORK The work will consist of locating, capturing and sampling sockeye salmon in late July and early August. Fish will be captured via purse seine to minimize injury during sampling. The work will be conducted in northern or western Haida Gwaii (e.g., Langara Island, Rennell Sound; statistical areas 1 or 2W), no further than 10 nautical miles from shore. Location of operations will depend on weather and catch rates.

The Contractor will provide the vessel as a platform for sockeye salmon sampling. To enhance sampling efficiency, there may be considerable flexibility in survey approaches. The chief scientist will work with the Captain to plan survey effort.

DURATION The work will take place between July 10, 2025 and August 20, 2025, with an additional option year for the same dates in 2026.

The duration of the at-sea component of this contract will be a minimum of ten and maximum of 18 working days in late July and early August, beginning when Fraser River sockeye salmon typically migrate past Haida Gwaii. Note that this period may include travel days from the port where DFO staff board the vessel to Haida Gwaii or other locations to load and unload sampling gear. The number of days spent sampling, traveling, and loading will depend on the location of the vessel at the start of the contract, the rate at which sockeye can be tagged, and weather delays.