November 16, 2023 — The following was released by The New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council is broadly sharing the following information in support of our federal partners at NOAA Fisheries.
WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is looking for appropriate scallop dredge vessels to participate in the annual Atlantic sea scallop survey. Vessels must be available between May and July 2024 – ideally in June – to participate in the survey.
FIRST STEP: Step #1 is a call for information to help NOAA Fisheries identify vessels that meet a list of required specifications related to sufficient berth space, adequate deck space, equipment requirements, and more. Interested applicants are being asked to respond to this initial request for information by November 22, 2023.
IMPORTANT: Step #1 is important because it will lead interested vessel owners to register inSAM.gov. Anyone who is not registered in SAM.gov cannot receive a government contract. SAM stands for System for Award Management. If you need help with this initial step, feel free to contactAmanda Rossiter or Carina Topasna, who are both contract specialists.
SECOND STEP: Under Step #2, NOAA Fisheries will issue a solicitation for a vessel contract opportunity, which will happen “in the near future.” Remember, Step #1 is critical to being able to participate in Step #2. Each awarded contract will have a one-year base period in 2024 with “option years through 2028.”
SURVEY RANGE: The Atlantic sea scallop survey is currently conducted along the U.S. continental shelf from New England to the Mid-Atlantic region and includes the U.S. waters of Georges Bank.
SURVEYS SUPPORT MANAGEMENT: Survey data helps fishery managers make informed decisions. The Atlantic sea scallop fishery is managed by the New England Fishery Management Council and administratively overseen by NOAA Fisheries.
QUESTIONS: Additional information about this important scallop survey contract opportunity isposted here. Questions should be directed to the contacts listed at the bottom of the webpage, which, in addition to Amanda Rossiter and Carina Topasna, include: Ecosystems Surveys Branch Chief Peter Chase; and Shellfish Survey Program Lead Chad Keith, who also is with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Ecosystems Surveys Branch.