---
title: "CEFAS23-157 ITT for technical expertise to support the Sri Lanka shark and ray trade, under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP)"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-c24ba91e-abfd-4662-a3af-2d6436c55dd7"
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markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c24ba91e-abfd-4662-a3af-2d6436c55dd7.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c24ba91e-abfd-4662-a3af-2d6436c55dd7.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "CEFAS"
published: "2023-12-01"
---

# CEFAS23-157 ITT for technical expertise to support the Sri Lanka shark and ray trade, under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP)

Buyer: CEFAS  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-c24ba91e-abfd-4662-a3af-2d6436c55dd7

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## Summary

The buying organisation, Cefas, has initiated a tender titled "CEFAS23-157 ITT for technical expertise to support the Sri Lanka shark and ray trade, under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP)". This tender falls under the industry category of Marine research services. The procurement stage is currently active, with a tender period ending on 10th January 2024 and a contract period starting on 1st February 2024 and ending on 31st January 2026. The procurement method is an open procedure above threshold, with a contract value of £170,000 GBP.

This tender offers opportunities for businesses specialising in marine research services, especially those with expertise in species identification and conservation in seafood markets. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are well-suited to compete for this tender, which aims to update Sri Lanka's National Plan of Action for elasmobranch populations. Interested companies should consider providing technical support for DNA analysis, population assessment methods, and conducting workshops on the visual identification of CITES listed elasmobranchs to fisheries and trade management staff.

## Notice

It is estimated that over one-third of sharks, skates and rays (elasmobranchs) are threatened with extinction worldwide due to a combined effect of global fishing pressure, conservative life history characteristics, and high market price for the fins of some species. Shark fisheries tend to be diverse and unregulated small-scale fisheries, often characterised by illegal fishing, non-systematic data collection and high volumes of bycatch, which presents a challenging management scenario for shark fishing nations. The diversity of species landed makes accurate species identification challenging but vital for effective fisheries management and conservation. In February 2023 Cefas supported species identification training through the UK Governments Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) to frontline fisheries staff in Sri Lanka and engaged with the fisheries directorate to discuss evidence priorities. Support with the revision of Sri Lanka's current National Plan of Action (NPOA) for elasmobranchs and the associated activities around this was identified as a priority. This includes the need to develop a full list of elasmobranch species being caught, landed, and traded in Sri Lanka followed by the development of a national ID guide. This resource would then be used as a training reference for existing and future staff within the fisheries departments, customs, and coastguards in the field to support robust data collection, identify and prosecute illegal activities and thus promote sustainable elasmobranch fisheries. The overarching aims and objectives of the project are: 1. To review and update the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Sri Lanka's elasmobranch populations in collaboration with the Fisheries department of Sri Lanka and Cefas and socialise the developed plan with stakeholders in Sri Lanka. 2. Use visual and DNA-based approaches to identify elasmobranchs sampled at markets across Sri Lanka to support the development of a national identification guide. 3. To provide technical support to two master's students working on DNA analysis of market samples and population assessment methods. 4. Facilitate and deliver workshops on the visual identification of CITES listed elasmobranchs to fisheries and trade management staff, using updated identification guides (post CITES Convention of the Parties in Nov 2022 (COP19)).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/00ace21f-48cf-4357-92d8-f1d85009fbae |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 Dec 2023 |
| Submission deadline | 10 Jan 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Feb 2024 - 31 Jan 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £170,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CEFAS |
| Locality | LOWESTOFT |
| Post town | Norwich |
| Postcode | NR33 0HT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH6 Suffolk |
| ITL 3 | TLH63 East Suffolk |
| Local authority | East Suffolk |
| Electoral ward | Kirkley & Pakefield |
| Westminster constituency | Lowestoft |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73112000 - Marine research services

## Release History

- 1 Dec 2023 at 10:20 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/00ace21f-48cf-4357-92d8-f1d85009fbae

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/00ace21f-48cf-4357-92d8-f1d85009fbae
  1st December 2023 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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