Vessel for DFO Cetacean Survey off the Central and North Coast of British Columbia

1. 1 Title Vessel for DFO Cetacean Survey off the Central and North Coast of British Columbia

1.2 Contract Period Upon contract award through to May 31, 2016, with option to renew for 2 additional 1 year periods at the sole discretion of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

Option periods if exercised will be June 1, 2016 through to May 31, 2017 and June 1, 2017 through to May 31, 2018

Survey / Project dates: Project work in the Fall will take place in September or October. Project work in the Summer will take place in July or August. Exact dates will be determined by the DFO Project Authority.

1.3 Introduction Vessel services are required to survey for cetaceans off the west coast of Vancouver Island (as far south as Estevan Pt.), the Central Coast and the North Coast of BC, Hecate Strait, and Queen Charlotte Sound. One survey (of 13-14 subsequent days) will be conducted, with overnight accommodation on board the vessel for six (6) research crew. Survey will focus on seeking observations and encounters with cetaceans (focus on species at risk) to obtain photo identification, biopsy and fecal samples, prey samples, and satellite tagging based on current protocols in use by DFO Pacific. A stable, manoeuvrable platform capable of maintaining good and safe sea keeping abilities off the exposed coast of BC, along with a vessel operator with demonstrated research experience to provide the precision and timing needed to allow researchers to properly conduct these techniques with minimal disturbance to the whales.

1.4 Background, Assumptions and Specific Scope of the Requirement Annual cetacean surveys are conducted off the coast of British Columbia to fill knowledge gaps in cetacean distribution, population size, and habitat use. A vessel with a suitable platform, with crew knowledgeable in vessel operations around marine mammals and an understanding of cetacean behaviour, is required to complete this objective and maintain consistency in data collection in accordance with SARA research permitting regulations. These precise sampling and data collection techniques require a stable, manoeuvrable platform capable of maintaining good and safe sea keeping abilities off the exposed coast of BC, along with a vessel operator with demonstrated research experience to provide the precision and timing needed to allow researchers to properly conduct these techniques with minimal disturbance to the whales.

2.0 Requirements

2.1 Tasks, Activities, Deliverables and Milestones The cetacean surveys will be conducted off the west coast of Vancouver Island (as far south as Estevan Pt), the Central Coast and the North Coast of BC, Hecate Strait, and Queen Charlotte Sound. The specific survey route will be refined closer to sail date and understanding of weather restrictions.

One survey (of 10-14 subsequent days each) will be conducted, with overnight accommodation on board the vessel for research crew consisting of DFO Staff and Volunteers.

The survey will focus on seeking observations and encounters with cetaceans (focus on SARA listed species) to obtain photo identification, biopsy and fecal samples, prey samples, and satellite tagging based on current protocols in use by DFO Pacific. Close approach to whales will be required (under SARA permit) to obtain the samples and photographs.