Solent Bass Survey Vessel Charter for Juvenile Fish Monitoring

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is seeking a vessel charter to support the Solent Bass Survey, a long-running monitoring program that collects data on juvenile European sea bass populations. This data is essential for stock assessments and sustainable fisheries management. Vessel Requirements: The vessel must be based in the Portsmouth area and equipped to safely accommodate 5 people (2 crew, 3 scientists) with appropriate licenses, insurance (H&M and P&I), and safety provisions. The crew must have experience deploying a specialized bass trawl and fishing within the Solent survey area. The vessel must operate in shallow water (10-30 meters depth) and provide a sheltered rear deck. Trawl Specifications: The survey uses a high headline bass trawl with a 9-meter headline and 12-meter footrope, featuring 70mm diagonally stretched mesh with a 4mm knotless liner in the codend and protective chafer panels. Safety Requirements: Vessel safety assessment and approval (VSAID document) is mandatory before contract award. The skipper must brief all project staff on vessel risk assessment, health and safety procedures, life-saving appliances, emergency protocols, and escape routes prior to each voyage. All accidents or near-miss incidents must be reported within 24 hours. Deliverables: Successful tenderers will provide: 5 days of sampling per year (September 2026-2028), a fuel and emissions report, and an incident report upon completion. Services will be conducted in Chichester Harbour, Langstone Harbour, Southampton Water, and the Solent.