Enumeration of Salmon Populations

The purpose of this work is to use resistivity counting methods to obtain accurate escapement estimates with known precision of select Chinook and Coho spawning populations. This work will be used to manage Interior Fraser Coho populations as well as Chinook Spring 42 and 52 populations. All of these populations are important to First Nations and bilateral fisheries and are currently assessed or undergoing assessment under the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and/or Species at Risk Act (SARA). Fisheries and Oceans Stock Assessment uses multiple methods to enumerate hundreds of salmon populations escaping to their natal rivers to spawn. Depending on the requirements of the estimate, timing of fish movement, the hydrology of the system and the physical channel and stream bed characteristics, resistivity counters can be employed as a highly effective enumeration methodology to provide timely, cost effective and accurate estimates with acceptable error bounds. The contractor will provide technical assistance with the installation, operation, and calibration of specialized and sensitive electronic flat pads, resistivity counters, video recording equipment and in some cases solar power and battery bank systems into rivers where target spawning salmon populations are returning. Assistance is also required to analyze and classify event data, and to develop spawning escapement and error estimates for target salmon populations. Work may take place at the contractors place of business as well as meetings at the DFO area office located at 985 McGill Place, Kamloops, BC. Site visits will occur within the first 30 km of the Lower Chilcotin River, Barriere River, Spius Creek, Bonaparte River, Louis Creek and Deadman River. Submission of a final report detailing the data analysis and final escapement numbers with error bounds will be provided within the DFO fiscal year. One (1) Standing Offer will be issued to one (1) Offeror. The period of the Standing Offer will be the date of Offer issuance to April 30, 2023.