Snow Crab Survey Vessel Charter

1. 1 Title Snow Crab Survey Vessel Charter 1.2 Objective An annual snow crab survey is conducted on the Scotian shelf by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for the purposes of stock assessment. The snow crab fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in Atlantic Canada and the Scotian Shelf component of this fishery is considered to be the most conservatively managed and relies heavily on quality data from this survey to make informed management decisions. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) requires the service of a vessel to use as the platform for this research. This vessel will carry a crew complement of at least four members in addition to four scientific personnel (DFO Staff and Contractors) which will be contracted separately. The objective of the contract is the successful completion of all planned stations in the annual snow crab trawl survey, up to a maximum of 420 stations including 36 “expanded sampling” stations on an annual basis. 1.3 Contract Period Contract award through to April 30, 2022, with options to renew for four (4) additional 1 year periods at the sole discretion of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Option periods if exercised will be May 1, 2022 through to April 30, 2023 (12 months), May 1, 2023 through to April 30, 2024 (12 months), May 1, 2024 through to April 30, 2025 (12 months), May 1, 2025 through to April 30, 2026 (12 months) A maximum of 420 stations (including 36 additional “expanded sampling” stations) will be completed each year.  The Project work will take place between approximately August 15 and January 15 annually. Exact dates will be determined by the DFO scientist in-charge. These dates (and the required working days throughout) will be contingent on operational considerations of the charter based on such factors as weather, vessel maintenance/ repair requirements, etc. The contractor will be informed of the exact dates for the given year by the chief scientist with a minimum notice of two weeks before work commences annually. 1.4 Contract Area of Operation The work will be conducted throughout the Scotia Shelf in Crab Fishing Areas: N-ENS, 23, 24 and 4X. The vessel must be willing to berth at various ports along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia for the duration of the project as determined by operational requirements.