Notice2021-14785
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Primary source
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Published
July 13, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is requesting proposals from qualified contractors to organize and conduct an Expanded Sampling and Ageing Study on Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 131 (Tuesday, July 13, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36709-36710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14785]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB224]
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice for request of proposals for Ageing Study on Gulf of
Mexico Gray Triggerfish.
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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is requesting
proposals from qualified contractors to organize and conduct an
Expanded Sampling and Ageing Study on Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish.
DATES: This will be a 24-month project and a maximum $250,000 is
available to fund the work. Proposal Submission Deadline: August 13,
2021.
ADDRESSES: Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council,
4701 W Spruce Street, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348-
1630.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John Froeschke, Deputy Director,
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council;
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#02686d6a6c2c64706d6771616a69674265776e64616d776c616b6e2c6d7065"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="365c595e58185044595345555e5d537651435a5055594358555f5a18594451">[email protected]</span></a>; telephone: (813) 348-1630.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposal Submission Deadline Friday, August 13, 2021
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) seeks a
highly-qualified contractor to organize and conduct an ageing study on
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus. The Term of
Contract is 24 months and Maximum Funding Available for Work is
$250,000. The contractor is tasked with evaluating and proposing new
techniques to efficiently sample, process, and utilize different ageing
structures (i.e., spines and otoliths) for gray triggerfish in the
Gulf. Proposal applicants are encouraged to develop work plans to
collaborate with state and federal partners to collect representative
samples across a range of age classes. Typically, the various Gulf
state and federal creel and port samplers would be able to contribute
to this work; however, otoliths are not currently taken at dockside
intercepts under current sample collection protocols. Sampling gray
triggerfish otoliths that are small, fragile, and difficult to extract
may require obtaining filleted carcasses (i.e., racks) from fishery-
dependent intercepts. If additional samples are necessary, the proposal
may consider an effective method for field collection of gray
triggerfish otoliths and dorsal spines.
Gray triggerfish have historically been aged by counting
translucent zones in the first dorsal spine since gray triggerfish
otoliths are small, fragile, and difficult to extract. During the Data/
Assessment workshop deliberations for SEDAR 62, it was noted that a
study applying bomb radiocarbon validation to compare spine and otolith
ages routinely resulted in lower age estimates from spines versus
otoliths, and called into question the reliability of growth estimates
derived from spine-based ages (Patterson et al. 2019: SEDAR62-WP-17).
Background
During its January 2021 meeting, the Council identified unspent
Council funds in 2020. These unspent funds were primarily due to
limited travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council is considering
funding a research study, on the ageing of gray triggerfish, that could
be completed, available, and contributory to the scheduled SEDAR
Research Track assessment of Gulf gray triggerfish to begin in 2024.
The last assessment for Gulf gray triggerfish (SEDAR 62) was terminated
because of irreconcilable data issues, with ageing of gray triggerfish
being an outstanding concern.
Gray triggerfish have historically been aged by counting
translucent zones in the first dorsal spines since gray triggerfish
otoliths tend to be small, fragile, and difficult to extract. Allman et
al. (2016) conducted an age validation study of gray triggerfish spines
that revealed two peaks in translucent zone formation, which was
interpreted as a doublet pattern (two closely spaced translucent zones)
representing a single year in the life. However, during workshop
deliberations for SEDAR 62, it was noted that a study applying bomb
radiocarbon validation to compare spine and otolith ages resulted in
otolith ages better aligning with known regional coral and otolith
carbon-14 values compared to spines, which under-aged known records.
Whereas, the comparison of vertebra versus otolith-derived ages
indicated a close agreement (Patterson et al. 2019: SEDAR62-WP-17).
Shervette et al. (2021), conducted a study on gray triggerfish in
Ghana and U.S. South Atlantic that compared ageing of spines and
otoliths. They also developed a methodology for removing the otoliths
from gray triggerfish. Whole otoliths were submerged in water and read
against a black background with magnified stereoscope, and then each
opaque zone was counted. Spines were also read and fish were aged by
counting the number of translucent zones in the spine section. Two
independent readers with ageing experience of 8 years \+\, read the
otoliths and spines. This study found age estimates for spines ranged
from 1 to 8 years and for otoliths 3 to 13 years. An age bias plot
indicating a potential ageing bias starting at age-3 between spines and
otoliths of gray triggerfish. Therefore, the Council is interested in
funding an age study for Gulf gray triggerfish to reconcile ageing
differences in hard parts. The Council also seeks expert advice from
funded work to determine whether it is possible to develop an algorithm
to convert spine-based ages to the more accurate otolith-based ages for
Gulf gray triggerfish.
Scope of Work
The contractor will be responsible for all data products outlined
below and is encouraged to contribute additional products and
suggestions in the proposal for this work. The selected contractor is
also responsible for a mid-term project summary report and a
presentation of the final results to the Scientific and Statistical
Committees and the Council. The proposed scope of work should include
the following:
[[Page 36710]]
<bullet> Evaluating and proposing new techniques to efficiently
sample, process, and utilize different ageing structures (i.e., spines
and otoliths) for gray triggerfish in the Gulf.
<bullet> Clearly define how representative gray triggerfish samples
will be obtained from various fleets (i.e., private recreational, for-
hire, and commercial) and/or fishery-independent survey samples with
the goal of constructing age-length keys from otolith-based ages. The
proposal should include the methodology of the age validation work
proposed with a clear rationale for that work, such as literature cited
and the anticipated sample sizes of fish by age class (0-14 years).
<bullet> Typically, the various Gulf state and federal creel and
port samplers would be able to contribute to this work; however,
otoliths are not currently taken at dockside intercepts under current
sample collection protocols. Thus, proposal applicants are encouraged
to develop work plans to collaborate with state and federal partners to
collect representative samples across a range of age classes.
<bullet> The proposal should include detailed methodology for
extracting and processing otoliths and spines and a clear rationale for
that scope, and the anticipated sample sizes of fish by age class.
<bullet> Compare gray triggerfish ages from otoliths and spines to
determine whether it is possible to develop an algorithm to convert
spine-based ages to the more accurate otolith-based ages. Describe the
variance about these estimates for the conversion algorithm as
appropriate.
<bullet> Proposals should provide information and rationale for the
consideration of seasonal growth increment pattern validation.
Results and outcomes from this work will be provided to the Council
and National Marine Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center
(SEFSC).
Application Process
Contractor Qualifications: The successful applicant or applicant
team will have demonstrable experience in marine ecology.
How to Apply: Applicants should submit a proposal to Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council by email
(<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6d1f0b1d430a1f0c14191f040a0a081f0b041e052d0a18010b0e0218030e040143021f0a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f1d091f41081d0e161b1d0608080a1d09061c072f081a03090c001a010c060341001d08">[email protected]</span></a>) by 11:59 p.m. on August 13, 2021.
Additional information including funding specifications can be obtained
through inquiry to this email address. Proposals should include the
following elements:
Executive Summary: A summary of the work proposed, including a
brief summary of the applicant's qualifications.
Proposed Scope of Work: See bulleted list above.
Qualifications of Applicant: A summary of the qualifications of the
applicant and other team members, if applicable. A curriculum vitae
should be included for each individual who is expected to work on the
project.
Proposed Budget: A detailed budget, including the basis for the
charges (e.g., hourly rates, fixed fees, approved federally negotiated
overhead rate and other costs consistent with federally allowable costs
for sub-contractors).
Proposed Timeline: A detailed timeline of field and laboratory
collections, processing of samples, data analysis, and mid-term and
final reports should be provided.
Letters of Support: Letters demonstrating collaboration with state
and federal partners and fishermen to obtain adequate samples across
age classes are highly encouraged.
Applicant References: Names, titles, full addresses, email
addresses, and phone numbers for three clients for whom the applicant
has provided similar services to those requested or are familiar with
the applicant's work and the quality of the applicant's work products.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria and Next Steps
Proposals will be evaluated based on methodology and scope outlined
in the proposed work plan. An ability to deliver, in a timely manner, a
quality work product as determined by qualifications including prior
experience, references, budget, and timelines is paramount. The Council
may request additional information as deemed necessary or negotiate
modifications prior to providing support for a proposal. Once a
proposal is selected for funding, a formal contract will be provided to
the applicants.
Disclaimer
1. This project is being funded by federal funding authorized under
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act through
NOAA Fisheries Service and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council NOAA award number NA20NMF4410011. Compliance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Pub. L. 104-208 as
amended), the current requirements of the Federal Office of Management
and Budget, the Department of Commerce financial assistance standard
terms and conditions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric financial
assistance administrative terms, all special award conditions specific
to this award and all parts of the Uniform Guidance at Title 2 of the
Code of Federal Regulations must be maintained.
2. The contractor is responsible for all costs conducting the work
and presenting the final results to the Scientific and Statistical
Committees and Council.
3. Proposals and their accompanying documentation will not be
returned, but retained as part of the Councils administrative
documents.
4. All applicants included in the proposal must disclose any
conflicts of interest and/or pending civil/criminal/fishery legal
actions.
5. The Council reserves the right to accept or reject any or all
applications received, negotiate with all qualified applicants, cancel
or modify this request for proposals in part or in its entirety, or
change the application guidelines, when it is in the best interests of
the Council.
Dated: July 7, 2021.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-14785 Filed 7-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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