Salmonid Fin Clipping and Coded Wire Tag (CWT) Application

IntroductionThe Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) may require the fin clipping of and coded-wire tag application to juvenile salmonids at various selected DFO hatcheries and DFO contracted hatcheries throughout British Columbia.ObjectiveThe objective of a contract resulting from this standing offer is the completion of high quality fin clipping and/or coded-wire tagging activities of juvenile salmonids at selected DFO hatcheries and DFO-contracted hatcheries throughout British Columbia. BackgroundFin clipping and application of coded wire tags (CWTs) to juvenile salmonids (otherwise referred to as “marking”) is conducted to meet specific objectives including, but not limited to, identification of fish for harvest in fisheries, estimation of total catch and distribution for inclusion in international management models, and to allow for the assessment of rebuilding efforts in stocks of concern. By marking a known number of fish, and accurately reporting the resulting data, this information can be used by various agencies in the management of fish and fisheries. To meet these objectives, a high quality fin clipping and CWT application program is required at multiple facilities throughout BC.Tagging and clipping of juvenile salmonids at specific locations, and the number of fish needing to be marked can change from year to year subject to (but not limited to) funding levels, treaty obligations, fish abundance and assessment requirements. The final determination of sites and numbers of fish to be marked is determined on an on-going basis by DFO. As such, the financial value of tagging may increase or decrease in any given year. Planned estimated target marking numbers for 2019 are identified within this SOW for information only (Appendix I). These services may or may not be contracted out in any given year.ScopeThe contractor will provide fin clipping and/or CWT application activities to juvenile salmonids detailed in call-ups against this standing offer in accordance with established procedures cited by Nichols & Hillaby 1990 (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/318113.pdf) and Northwest Marine Technologies (https://www.nmt.us/about/technical-manuals/). Contract services must adhere to the tasks/technical specifications and deliverables within this statement of work.Period of the Standing OfferThe period for making call-ups against the Standing Offer is from February 1, 2023 to January 31, 2028.