Strait of Georgia/West Coast of Vancouver Island Salmon Survey

TITLE: Strait of Georgia/West Coast of Vancouver Island SALMON SURVEY The Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), requires a trawling vessel (hereafter referred to as the “Survey Vessel”) to conduct an integrated epipelagic ecosystem survey in the Strait of Georgia, west coast of Vancouver Island, and associated inlets in British Columbia. 1. PERIOD OF THE CONTRACT This work must take place between contract award and November 30, 2016. Total days are dependent on funding and time available. Survey operations will begin and end in Nanaimo, B.C. (see Proposed Itinerary, attached). 2. INTRODUCTION The Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), requires a Survey Vessel for up to 20 days to conduct a multi-species mid-water trawl survey in the Strait of Georgia, Discovery Islands, Howe Sound, Gulf Islands, Juan de Fuca Strait and Puget Sound (Figure 1A) and off the West Coast of Vancouver Island (Figure 1B). This vessel will replace the W.E. Ricker when she is out service for an indeterminate length of time.  3. SCOPE OF WORK This research survey will examine the distribution, stock composition (from DNA analyses), migration, food web interaction, lipid utilization, and growth of juvenile salmon in the Strait of Georgia, Discovery Islands, Gulf Islands, Juan de Fuca Strait, Puget Sound and the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Oceanographic samples (zooplankton and CTD (Conductivity, Temperature and Depth recorders) casts) will also be collected during the survey. Within the Strait of Georgia, the survey will follow a track line that has been fished annually since 1998. Off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, the survey will collect fish at standard stations fish annually since 1998. Fishing is conducted at 5 knots with trawl head rope at surface, 15m, 30m, 45m or 60m depths. Sets are typically 30 minutes in length. Fishing locations are pre-determined by the DFO Scientific Authority. Additionally, up to three vertical CTD profiles and plankton tows to a maximum depth of 250m are to be completed at selected sites and times each day of the survey, as determined by the Scientific Authority.  Further sampling to assess the physiological basis for regional variation in juvenile salmon growth and pathogen loads in juvenile salmon will also be conducted. This involves the collection of blood samples to measure the concentration of growth hormones in blood plasma, and the collection of a series of tissues to examine gene expression. These projects will require a dedicated sampling area in addition to the space normally required by DFO to collect basic biological and oceanographic data as described above.