4VsW Sentinel Monitoring Project

The purpose of this project is to obtain the data required to develop groundfish species abundance indices in NAFO division 4VsW through the completion of a Sentinel Monitoring survey in 4VsW. This project will collect data at 18 stations in two inshore strata to monitor groundfish abundance in the inshore area not surveyed by the DFO Research Vessel survey. The data and biological sample processing will provide products to inform on species distribution, abundance, life history traits, and ecosystem data. The Project supports DFO’s Legal mandate and the following strategic outcomes:

Economically Prosperous Maritime Sectors and Fisheries Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems

The activities undertaken in this project link to the Program Alignment Architecture Economically Prosperous Maritime Sectors and Fisheries through Program activity 1.1 Integrated Fisheries Management and the sub activity Commercial Fisheries by providing greater certainty in scientific advice for stock assessments and improved understanding of species distributions, life history patterns and response to environmental factors. This project improves the process of fisheries research by making available to DFO scientists information on species distribution and abundance information from a stock area not normally accessible by our own research platform. The work will start in September. The fishing of the survey stations will be completed within 4 weeks of the start of fishing and will end in October. All other deliverables will be completed by March 15. The Contractor grants to Canada the irrevocable option to extend the term of the Contract by up to three (3) additional one (1) year periods under the same conditions. The Contractor agrees that, during the extended period of the Contract, it will be paid in accordance with the applicable provisions as set out in the Basis of Payment.