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CEFAS26-10 Offshore and Onshore Observer Programme

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

15 May 2026 at 15:09

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

16 Mar 2026 at 12:41

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

26 Jan 2026 at 11:48

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) has completed the "CEFAS26-10 Offshore and Onshore Observer Programme," focusing on sustainable fisheries management. This project falls under the industry category of environmental monitoring services. It is based in the United Kingdom, specifically Lowestoft, and applied an open procurement method. After the tendering phase, the award was finalised on 15th May 2026, with the contract beginning on 5th May 2026 and extending to 31st March 2029, with potential renewals up to 2030. The programme involves collecting data on fish catches and bycatch via observers on commercial vessels, crucial for fulfilling the requirements of the Fisheries Act 2020.

This tender offers substantial business growth opportunities, especially for SMEs involved in scientific data collection or environmental monitoring services, like the awarded Seascope Fisheries Research Limited. Companies well-suited for such tenders include those with expertise in fisheries science, data management, and field research. Participating businesses can engage in a significant and impactful project, enhancing their sector credentials, expanding operational capacities, and potentially securing ongoing collaborations with government bodies such as CEFAS.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CEFAS26-10 Offshore and Onshore Observer Programme

Notice Description

The Offshore Observer Programme is a cornerstone of the UK's approach to sustainable fisheries management. It provides independent, high-quality data that underpins stock assessments, advice, and compliance with national and international obligations, including the Fisheries Act 2020. By placing trained observers on commercial fishing vessels, the programme ensures accurate information on catch composition, discards, and biological characteristics is collected during normal fishing operations. To meet the requirements of the Fisheries Act 2020, Cefas contributes to the data collection and collation requirements laid out in the UK Data Collection Framework (DCF). The UK DCF ensures consistent and continuous fisheries data collection across each UK administration, enabling them to establish multiannual programmes for the collection and management of these data. In England, Cefas is responsible, for the most part, for the collection of fisheries-dependent data, which includes deploying Offshore Observers on commercial fishing vessels to sample catches of shellfish, demersal and pelagic fish stocks, and associated bycatch. Access to vessels is negotiated on a voluntary basis, as there is no mandatory requirement for vessels to carry observers. Maintaining strong industry relationships and professional conduct is therefore essential to secure ongoing cooperation. Each year, Cefas determines the number of sampling trips required to meet DCF obligations and allocates resources accordingly. These targets are achieved through a combination of Cefas-employed observers and external observers supplied under this Contract. Observers are responsible for arranging sea trips on commercial fishing vessels, collecting trip-level information, catch composition, and biological data (including size, otoliths/scales, sex, and maturity). Upon return, all data must be entered into the Cefas Observer Database. All in accordance with established protocols and timelines. The aim of the Cefas Observer Programme is to: 3.1. Accurately characterise the catches and fishing activities of the English fleet by collecting detailed data on species composition, quantity and biological parameters (size, sex, maturity and otoliths/scales) from catch and bycatch in a fishery (primarily demersal). 3.2. Routinely provide validated datasets that are integral to international stock assessments and national/international fisheries and marine management advice. 3.3. Provide the opportunity to collaborate and co-develop the programme and adopt new technologies that demonstrably improves efficiency and data quality without compromising safety or neutrality. Observers must always maintain professional behaviour. This protects Cefas' reputation and ensures continued access to vessels for sampling. The Supplier must provide observers who are self-motivated, capable of working independently, and highly disciplined, with a proven track record of collecting scientific data aboard commercial fishing vessels.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060e51
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044991-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

76 - Services related to the oil and gas industry

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

76520000 - Offshore services

90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£750,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£750,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£750,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£350,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 May 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Mar 20266 months ago
Contract Period
5 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
2031-01-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LOWESTOFT
Postcode
NR33 0HT
Postcode Area
Norwich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH63 East Suffolk
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
East Suffolk
Electoral Ward
Kirkley & Pakefield
Westminster Constituency
Lowestoft

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SeaScope Fisheries Research Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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