Vessels for At-Sea Surveys in the Salish Sea and the West Coast of Vancouver Island

BACKGROUND Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) has a requirement for a standing offer for vessels, including operational crew, for vessel-based surveys of marine birds in the Salish Sea and the west coast of Vancouver Island. Project objectives are to collect quantitative information regarding marine bird distribution and abundance (i.e., baseline information) across all four seasons in the Salish Sea and the west coast of Vancouver Island. Baseline information regarding the at-sea distribution and abundance of multiple marine bird species, including species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), in the Salish Sea and on the west coast of Vancouver Island is not well understood. Using vessel-based line-transect surveys to collect marine bird information across multiple years and seasons, a quantitative baseline of marine bird information can be achieved. This information will be used to inform multiple evidence-based decision making management and conservation processes, including identification of areas important to birds and enhanced emergency response and preparedness. OBJECTIVE ECCC requires contractors that have the vessel(s) and experience to: 1. Achieve vessel-based line transect surveys across multiple seasons and years in the Salish Sea and west coast of Vancouver Island. 2. Manage all vessel safety and operational activities during the at-sea surveys to allow scientists aboard to focus on their work requirements. THE WORK Vessel-based surveys involve navigation along fixed transect lines at a constant speed of 8-10 knts, with surveys to be completed during daylight hours in excellent to moderate conditions (i.e., generally < 25knts wind and/or < beaufort 5). Vessel operators are to take advantage of weather windows and daylight hours to complete the planned surveys. Generally, 1-3 ECCC at-sea observers (up to 4 for training purposes) will work aboard the vessel, and where feasible, overnight on the survey vessels. Although total survey duration per season will be approximately 20 days per survey area, occurring within a two-month survey window and not including weather days, individual trip lengths will be partially dependent on weather and vessel capabilities.