Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13be5-051a-7187-8802-f2d5588aa863/cefas26-75-itt-for-provision-of-pelagic-trawler-vessel-for-the-iesns-survey

awarded GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs

# CEFAS26-75 ITT for provision of pelagic trawler vessel for the IESNS survey

[Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science](https://tendernation.io/buyers/centre-for-environment-fisheries-and-aquaculture-science)

Incumbent usually keeps it

Estimated value

£400,000

Published

4 Sept 2026

Deadline

Closed

20 Aug 2026

## Who can bid

- Buyer says suitable for SMEs

    The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid.
- Buyer says suitable for VCSEs

    The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice.
- Open procedure

    Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage.

[More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses)

## About this tender

The Supplier will provide s pelagic trawler, suitably equipped to participate in an acoustic-trawl survey. The survey is part of the international IESNS (International Ecosystem Survey in the Nordic Sea), a collaboration between Icelandic, Faroe, Norwegian, EU and UK research institutes which has been conducted since 1997.

The survey is carried out to investigate distribution and migrations of the Norwegian Spring-spawning herring, blue whiting and other pelagic fish, and to produce a biomass index for herring and a recruitment index for blue whiting. The survey will cover the southern end of the distributional range of the spring-spawning herring population. Furthermore, data on the hydrographic conditions and plankton distribution will be obtained to investigate the possible effects of the ecosystem on the distribution and abundance of target fish species.

### Aims and Objectives

The main objectives of the survey will be to:

- carry out a predetermined survey cruise track collecting fisheries acoustic data
- collect biological samples by directed trawling on insonified fish echotraces to determine species composition, size, age structure and maturity stage of target pelagic species.
- collect physical oceanography data from vertical profiles (CTD).
- collect plankton samples using ring-nets

Cefas will provide a minimum of 6 scientists to oversee the survey operations, working with the vessel to deliver the scientific objectives of the survey.

Scope of Requirements

### Survey activity

An acoustic-trawl survey to map and quantify herring and blue whiting. This will be performed by continuously (24h) running acoustic transects and carrying out ad hoc midwater trawling within the survey area.

Additional objectives will include collection of plankton and hydrographical data in the study area.

### Survey area and time of operation

The UK survey component will take place between Latitudes 62° and 69° North and Longitudes 13° West and 6° East (see full specification in bidder pack for total survey area and example of UK component in green).

The survey will be a total of approximately 13 days and will be conducted within the period 20/04/2027 – 31/05/2027. The vessel must be available for 13 consecutive days (this excludes time to calibrate the echosounders in a suitable port as well as transit from berth port to requested mobilisation port) within this period and ideally commencing at the start of this period.

Embarkation and disembarkation is required to take place in a Scottish mainland port e.g. Fraserburgh, Peterhead.

Read full description

## CPV classification

Research vessel services

Source

Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-06d178-2026-09-04T09:45:29+01:00

[View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-06d178-2026-09-04T09:45:29+01:00)

Never miss a tender like this again

Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start.

[Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register)

[Buyer profile Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/centre-for-environment-fisheries-and-aquaculture-science) [Sector More Logistics & travel services tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/logistics-travel-services)

## More tenders like this

[Buoy positioning services – Fourniture, pose, surveillance, entretien, enlèvement, stockage des corps-morts et balisage réglementaire afférent · Mairie de Lège-Cap Ferret · 34 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-abd9-716a-bfeb-f208b04fcbf0/france-buoy-positioning-services-fourniture-pose-surveillance-entretien) [Storage services – Prestations de stockage des sargasses fraîches en mer et de réimmersion, sur le territoire de la Martinique · GIP Sargasses - Prévention et Gestion des Sargasses en Martinique · 39 days left · 27 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-afec-739b-9761-cebb868b8a38/france-storage-services-prestations-de-stockage-des-sargasses-fraiches-en-me) [Buoy marking services – Pose, dépose, entretien du balisage permanent et saisonnier, ainsi que le nettoyage du balisage saisonnier du Littoral Cannois · Mairie de Cannes · 31 days left · 20 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-f347-7358-8aee-caf49864cbdc/france-buoy-marking-services-pose-depose-entretien-du-balisage-permanent-e) [Travel agency and similar services – ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΤΙΚΕΣ ΕΠΙΣΚΕΨΕΙΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ 32η ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΤΙΚΗ ΣΕΙΡΑ ΔΙΚΑΣΤΙΚΩΝ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ 6η ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΤΙΚΗ ΣΕΙΡΑ ΔΙΚΑΣΤΙΚΩΝ ΥΠΑΛΛΗΛΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΣΔι · ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΣΧΟΛΗ ΔΙΚΑΣΤΙΚΩΝ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΩΝ · 35 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-aac1-70fd-a112-3f39616baba8/greece-travel-agency-and-similar-services-ekpaideftikes-episkepsis-gia-thn-3) [Airport operation services – Servicio De Regularización De Equipajes En El Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas · Aena. Dirección del Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas · 29 days left · 18 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-ac22-72c3-bece-443ea0c773a5/spain-airport-operation-services-servicio-de-regularizacion-de-equipajes-en) [Organisation of package tours – Servizio di organizzazione soggiorni climatici per over 65 per il triennio 2027-2028-2029 · Comune di Verona · 34 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-cc96-72cf-8035-66703f355e7a/italy-organisation-of-package-tours-servizio-di-organizzazione-soggiorni-cli)
