Supply of Trawl Vessel, Skipper and Crew to Assist in the Northern Territory Tropical Snapper Fishery Independent Survey

The requirement is to engage a trawl vessel, skipper and crew to conduct between 250 and 300 trawl shots at predetermined locations within NT waters.

To be considered valid, survey shots must be undertaken at prescribed locations in the manner outlined below:

• Survey shot duration is to be one hour from net on the bottom to winch up. If for some reason (e.g. pin-up — that must be made known to and noted by the on-board scientific observer), the minimum tow duration that will be classified as a valid shot is 0.75 hours;
• Trawl speed should average 3.5 knots speed over ground (range 3.2-3.8 knots);
• Trawls should be conducted with the tide, abaft the beam, never trawling into the current;
• The trawls will generally be undertaken during daylight hours. Specifically, the start of the shot (net on bottom) must occur between 0600-1800 hours;
• The duration of each survey shot must be 1.0 hours bottom time;
  • A standardized survey trawl net (including doors) will be provided for use during the survey. This net must be used for each survey shot without any modification. Similar backup nets will be provided and must be stowed on board the survey vessel; and
  • If a net is damaged during a survey, (to such an extent that it cannot be repaired on-board the trawl vessel), it is the responsibility of the skipper to advise the contract manager and organize for its repair. Significant net repair costs do not form part of this tender.