Deadline for written questions: 5.19.2017
Deadline for submissions: 5.31.2017
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) to procure the professional services of a contractor that will coordinate with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Alaska Region (AKR) Protected Resources Division (PRD) staff to plan and facilitate a workshop to address invasive forms of research on endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales (CIB).
Understanding the characteristics of this beluga population is crucial for effective management. Conducting research that uses invasive methods is one way to collect population data. Recently, NMFS identified the need for continuing population monitoring in both the Species in the Spotlight Action Plan for CIB 1 , and in the Recovery Plan for CIB 2 . The Recovery Plan specifically recommends the following recovery action: “Hold а workshop to consider the feasibility, risks, and benefits of different sampling techniques such as breath capture, remote ultrasound, and live captures to obtain samples and measures for further analysis.” While this recovery action serves as a useful guide in crafting an agenda for this workshop, it is important to note that with technological and methodological advances, other forms of invasive research not alluded to above may be worthy of consideration during the workshop.
Posted: 5.8.2017
Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Workshop Q&A
Download the full Request for Proposals (RFP) by clicking the Download RFP button below