F5211-190121 - GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE NORTH ATLANTIC WHALE SURVEY (F5211-190121)

Title

A study on marine mammals and the potential impact(s) through ship-based oil spills for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) - Gulf of St. Lawrence

1.2 Introduction

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) are seeking the availability of a research vessel charter (vessel and crew) to conduct and deliver a scientific mission(s) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence south of Anticosti Island along the New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia coastlines. This science mission is focused on 1) surveying North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW), the distribution and factors affecting the distribution of their prey; and 2) the potential impact to habitant through ship-based oil spills.  The requirement is for a research vessel charter (vessel and crew) for 28 days between 02 July 2019 and 31 August 2019. The vessel will mobilize in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) and will proceed to the research area (Gulf of St. Lawrence south of Anticosti Island along the New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia coastlines). The demobilization will happen at BIO upon completion of the research mission.

1.3 Contract Dates

The Contract dates are as follows: 28 days of sea time between the 02 July 2019 and 31 August 2019 with a change of science crew after the first 14 days.

The Contractor grants to Canada, the irrevocable option to extend the term of the Contract by up to two (2) 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.

Option periods, if exercised will be April 1, 2020 through to March 31, 2021 and April 1, 2021 through to March 31, 2022. Project work will be between July and August each year

1.4 Objectives of the Requirement

The Contractor is to provide a qualified vessel and crew to complete oceanographic survey focusing on North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The 3 main research tasks of this mission are as follows:

1.4.1 Surveying North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) populations in the Gulf of St.

Lawrence;

1.4.2 Distribution and factors affecting the distribution of their prey;

1.4.3 The potential impact to habitant through ship-based oil spills. 

1.5 Scope

The Science Branch, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maritimes Region, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, requires the complete services of an Oceanographic Research Vessel charter (vessel and crew) to deliver the summer 2019 Marine Mammal and Oil Spill Impact Mission. This mission is required to understand the population, migration patterns and effects of shipboard oils spills on the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW). 

The work is focused on surveying North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW), the distribution and factors affecting the distribution of their prey – mainly copepods, and the potential impact to habitats through ship-based oil spills. The main focus of the work will extend from the St. Lawrence River estuary (~ 68°W) through the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Cabot Strait. A small number of sampling stations will be within the estuary, with the main surveying and sampling occurring in the Gulf, south of Anticosti Island along the New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia coastlines. The specific locations of the stations will be driven by reported NARW sighting immediately prior to the start of the mission. Specific stations for sampling copepods or carrying out oil effects studies will be determined based on surveys of whale locations which will be ongoing during the mission.