Herring Acoustic Survey

Background Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will be chartering a fishing vessel to conduct an acoustic herring survey which will include obtaining samples using a commercial capelin and/or herring seine in Fortune Bay during winter 2020. DFO intends to complete annual herring acoustic surveys in both fall and winter for the next several years. Herring acoustic surveys were conducted in the past for Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) herring stocks to obtain acoustic biomass estimates (1982-2000) which were used in population models for assessments – the surveys were discontinued due to program reductions. Without these surveys it has not been possible to implement any quantitative model for these stocks to estimate biomass/total abundance or provide advice on the impacts of removals. Instead assessments are based on a relative index of abundance from a gillnet program that provides population trends and biological data in 2 of 5 stock areas. The assessment is considered to be extremely data poor. Acoustic survey results would aid in the development of quantitative stock assessment models for herring.

Objective: The objective of this project is to conduct a herring acoustic survey to obtain acoustic biomass estimates to be used in stock assessments.

Scope of Work: The survey will involve steaming along predetermined inshore transect lines while towing a scientific ecosounder to search for schools of herring in winter 2020 in Fortune Bay, Newfoundland. If herring are found, samples will be obtained using a purse seine and frozen onboard in freezers provided by DFO. One to two full work days prior to the start of the survey will be required to install and test the deployment of the acoustic equipment aboard the vessel, during which time some transects/test tows may be made near shore. Prior to first survey day one or two DFO technicians will meet the vessel at a predetermined location. The Department will conduct a survey of the vessel including inspections of all fishing gear, machinery, electrical and electronic systems, accommodations and any related equipment. Equipment and/or conditions deemed unsatisfactory must be rectified by owner prior to commencement of the survey. The survey will be conducted between February 1 to April 15, 2020 for 30 consecutive days. DFO technicians will be onboard the vessel to conduct the survey. The survey will be considered completed once all planned transects have been surveyed or the maximum number of sampling/fishing days has been reached. The Contractor will provide a crew that will operate the seine and assist DFO Science technician(s) as needed with sample/data collection and deployment of scientific equipment.