Tender for two Fisheries Research Assistants

Descriptions

Cardigan Bay Fisherman's Association LtdContract Tender for Marine Research Assistant.Cardigan Bay Fisherman's Association Ltd was set up in 1996 to create and manage sustainable fisheries on the west coast of Wales. The geographical limits of the Association extend from the Mawddach Estuary in the North to the Teifi Estuary in the South.There are four main fishing communities within the area, Aberdyfi, Aberystwyth, New Quay and Cardigan with four smaller sites in Aberaeron, Tywyn, Aberporth and Llangranog. The last three have no harbour and as such the boats launch and are recovered from the beach daily.The Association has a currently thirty seven paid up members, being predominantly made up of full time and part time commercial fishermen along with a smaller number of fish merchants, processors and fish retailers.The Associations structure comprises of a Board of Directors, elected officers and port representatives, all of which are volunteers, and one paid full time member of staff, the Fisheries Coordinator who is responsible for the delivery of the project and is answerable to the Directors.The Project The Association was successful in its application to obtain a grant from a combination of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and Welsh Government (WG) funding to execute the ‘Project’ which was to run from 1st September 2009 to 31 July 2012. The aim of the project was outlined in the Project Plan. To deliver these aims the project identified six integrated component areas:1. Build on current Infrastructure2. Add Value to catches3. Develop and expand existing and New Markets4. Sustainable Management of the Cardigan Bay Prawn5. Develop Fishery Diversification6. Provide advice and guidance on Training and Safety.The CBFA Ltd is hoping to extend its current project from 31st July 2013 to 31st July 2015 by securing further EFF and WG funding to allow, under Component 4 of the Project Plan ‘Sustainable Management of the Cardigan Bay Prawn’, to collect and analyse all data to allow for a full assessment application for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) accreditation for the ‘Cardigan Bay Prawn’, Palaemon serratus, fishery.To achieve this the CBFA Ltd are looking for an academic or similar institution which has knowledge and previous experience in the MSC accreditation process to supply, on contract, a two Research Assistants who can fulfill the duties of the job descriptions below:Cardigan Bay Fisherman’s AssociationJob Description: Research AssistantGeneral Overview:The Research Assistant s will be seconded from an academic institution, or similar, on a contractual basis to fulfill criteria required for the successful collection and analysis of data to allow for the full assessment application for the Marine Stewardship Council accreditation of the Cardigan Bay Prawn, Palaemon serratus, fisheryThe secondment will be for two years, being a full time position for the full term of the of the two year MSC Accreditation data collection/analysis process.The Research Assistants will be responsible to, and supervised by, the Fisheries Coordinator and The Board of Directors. Their work schedule will be determined by the collaboration between the Fisheries Coordinator and the Academic Institution, or similar, from which the Research Assistants are seconded.The Research Assistants will submit progress reports, on a no less than a monthly basis, to the Fisheries Coordinator who will, if necessary review the Research Assistants schedule of work accordingly. The Research Assistants will also be expected to undertake some general clerical/administrative duties.Research Assistant 1 responsibilities:Principal 1. (SUSTAINABILITY)A.Enhance standard fisheries data collection to include as much data as possible on catches, including weight, location, bait, number of pots and soak time.B.Collate and process data on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) standardized for vessel effects, location and soak time.C.Undertake a literature review to identify the spatial extent of the Palaemon serratus stock. Carry out further sampling, by potting or push-netting, as necessary to identify stock boundaries.D.Conduct monthly sampling at intertidal and subtidal stations across the fishing grounds to gather data on sex ratios, size and reproductive condition.E.Develop a harvest strategy for the fishery. This includes the combination of monitoring, stock assessment, harvest control rules and management actions.F.Develop harvest control rules and tools and ensure that they are in place. This includes pre-agreed rules that will initiate a management action in response to changes in stock status.G.Establish target and limit reference points for the stock such as Bmsy and Blim.H.Assess the stock status of P. serratus. A time-series of catch and effort data may allow a surplus-production model to be applied. Otherwise, setting a reference CPUE level may be a viable alternative.I.Estimate age, and growth rates.Research Assistant 2 responsibilities:Principle 2(ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT)a.Record bycatch species from a sub-sample of catches on a regular basis.b.Develop a strategy for managing bycatch.c.Record retained species from a sub-sample of catches on a regular basis.d.Conduct a literature review to identify habitats present across the fishing grounds or identify any knowledge gaps.e.Undertake additional surveys of habitats as necessary. These could be conducted by means of cameras, grabs or beam trawls.f.Conduct a literature review to identify Endangered, Threatened or Protected (ETP) species present across the fishing grounds and whether the fishery impacts these species.g.Develop a strategy for managing ETP species.h.Collate information on habitat management strategies in Wales.i.Using existing and additional data assess the impacts of the fishery on ecosystems.The Research Assistants will at times be required collaborate with each other so as to ensure efficient data collection and at all times maintain good communications between each other and the managing Fisheries Coordinator.The Research Assistants are supported by the Fisheries Coordinator, the Associations Board of Directors and Steering Group and chaired by The Association Chairman.The Research Assistants should have:-* a degree in fisheries biology/ biology / ecology / marine biology or similar AND with a masters or an interest in fisheries science.and be* Computer Literate with excellent communications skills* Able to write clear, concise reports, and minutes of meetingsThe posts are funded through The European Fisheries Fund, “EFF” and Welsh Government. . If your organisation is interested in supplying the above Research Assistants post with all the relevant facilities to fulfill the posts as described, please send your official tender to Cardigan Bay Fisherman's Association Ltd. Room 109, The Cambria, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2AZ. Closing Date for Tender 28th March 2013For further information please contact via cbfaltd@btconnect.co.uk.