Published date: 1 December 2023

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 10 January 2024, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Marine research services - 73112000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£150,000 to £170,000

Procurement reference

CF-0195000D8d000003VQwdEAG

Published date

1 December 2023

Closing date

10 January 2024

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

1 February 2024

Contract end date

31 January 2026

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

It is estimated that over one-third of sharks, skates and rays (elasmobranchs) are threatened with extinction worldwide due to a combined effect of global fishing pressure, conservative life history characteristics, and high market price for the fins of some species. Shark fisheries tend to be diverse and unregulated small-scale fisheries, often characterised by illegal fishing, non-systematic data collection and high volumes of bycatch, which presents a challenging management scenario for shark fishing nations. The diversity of species landed makes accurate species identification challenging but vital for effective fisheries management and conservation.
In February 2023 Cefas supported species identification training through the UK Governments Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) to frontline fisheries staff in Sri Lanka and engaged with the fisheries directorate to discuss evidence priorities. Support with the revision of Sri Lanka's current National Plan of Action (NPOA) for elasmobranchs and the associated activities around this was identified as a priority. This includes the need to develop a full list of elasmobranch species being caught, landed, and traded in Sri Lanka followed by the development of a national ID guide. This resource would then be used as a training reference for existing and future staff within the fisheries departments, customs, and coastguards in the field to support robust data collection, identify and prosecute illegal activities and thus promote sustainable elasmobranch fisheries.

The overarching aims and objectives of the project are:
1. To review and update the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Sri Lanka's elasmobranch populations in collaboration with the Fisheries department of Sri Lanka and Cefas and socialise the developed plan with stakeholders in Sri Lanka.
2. Use visual and DNA-based approaches to identify elasmobranchs sampled at markets across Sri Lanka to support the development of a national identification guide.
3. To provide technical support to two master's students working on DNA analysis of market samples and population assessment methods.
4. Facilitate and deliver workshops on the visual identification of CITES listed elasmobranchs to fisheries and trade management staff, using updated identification guides (post CITES Convention of the Parties in Nov 2022 (COP19)).

About the buyer

Contact name

Holly Power

Address

Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
UK

Email

procure@cefas.gov.uk