Great Bear Lake ecosystem sampling 2025

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a requirement to collect data and tissue samples of fish and invertebrates, and data on water quality. Data on water quality will address DFO’s mandate to provide advice to co-management partners on sustainable harvest of fish resources.

Data and tissue samples for fish species, phytoplankton, zooplankton and invertebrate samples and water quality from Turili (McVicar Arm)/ and Dareli (Keith Arm) of Great Bear Lake. Data and tissue samples must be transferred to Project Authority by September 30, 2025.

2.1 SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

1) Turili (McVicar Arm) Field Workers

The Contractor must provide five (5) personnel as environmental technicians for the sampling project at Great Bear Lake. On Turili (McVicar Arm) of Great Bear Lake, three (3) workers will work on a boat to sample fish and collect water quality information. The two (2) other workers will work on a separate boat to sample fish and collect water quality information. If possible, two (2) of these workers should be a part of the Déli?ne Guardians program.

2) Turili (McVicar Arm) Cabin Assistant

Contractor must provide one (1) person to make dry fish (to be distributed to Déli?ne community members), clean/disinfect the camp/cabin following Covid-19 guidance, and cook for sampling project on Turili Arm of Great Bear Lake.

The person who is hired as camp assistant must be able to maintain an orderly camp including cooking, clean up, disinfecting as per Covid-19 guidance, maintaining fires, securing fire wood, as well as preparing and drying fish for distribution to community members in Déli?ne. They may also help with the recording of data in the fish processing tent and in boats. The cabin assistant must attend the orientation session before leaving for camp.

3) Local field assistants for Dareli (Keith Arm) sampling

Contractor must provide two (2) to three (3) personnel as local field assistants to independently record water quality parameters, collect zooplankton, and phytoplankton samples, and deploy an array of temperature loggers at three stationary locations near Déli?ne. (One (1) of these assistants shall be the crew lead.)

4) Local community assistants for set-up/takedown

The Contractor must provide two (2) personnel as local community assistants to provide help for the lead technician setting up equipment and organizing gear (e.g., gill nets, tent, sampling equipment, camping equipment) in Déli?ne before departure for field camp and upon return.

5) Boat Rental

The Contractor must provide one (1) boat and motor suitable to successfully set and retrieve gill nets for the capture of lake trout on McVicar Arm. The vessel shall be sufficient to transport personnel (up to four (4) persons), netting gear, and fish samples (18ft long or greater). Motor(s), preferably 4-stroke, shall be in good working condition. At least one paddle shall be provided. At least one (1) person shall be able to captain the boat and navigate to sample and camp locations.