August 20, 2025 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) seek a science-industry team to conduct a pilot regional industry-based bottom trawl survey (RIBTS). This pilot survey will be used to define the operational requirements for a full scale, shelf-wide, multispecies, industry-based bottom trawl survey that will complement our federal Bottom Trawl Survey conducted aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.
The Commission will issue a funding contract to a science and fishing industry team to conduct field work off the coast of southern New England to:
- Collect catch, biological, and oceanographic data
- Assess operational requirements
- Produce documentation of best practices
The pilot survey will need to be conducted in the fall of 2025 or spring 2026. Data processing will need to be completed and standard operating procedures drafted within six months of field work completion.
Application Instructions
The deadline to submit proposals is midnight ET on September 5, 2025. Please see the RFP online for complete proposal details, qualifying requirements, and submission instructions.
Questions?
Please contact Anna Mercer at anna.mercer@noaa.gov.