---
title: "CEFAS25-66 Mapping of Whelk Fishing Grounds"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05d9ce"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d9ce"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d9ce.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d9ce.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE"
published: "2025-11-04"
---

# CEFAS25-66 Mapping of Whelk Fishing Grounds

Buyer: CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05d9ce

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## Summary

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), based in Lowestoft, United Kingdom, has completed a procurement process titled "CEFAS25-66 Mapping of Whelk Fishing Grounds," aimed at supporting Fisheries Management Plans by addressing evidence gaps through research and development projects. The tender, under the services category, focused on exploring the physical characteristics of whelks from fishing grounds in English waters. The project was awarded on 28th October 2025, with the contract running from 29th October 2025 to 31st March 2026. The procurement method was direct, below threshold, and without competition, with the supplier being Heriot Watt. This completed stage of procurement highlights the importance of timely delivery and effective planning in the public procurement sector.

This contract provides substantial opportunities for businesses involved in research and development services and related consultancies, particularly those in the marine biology and environmental science sectors, to engage with public authority projects. Companies that have the capability to deliver insightful research and analysis on marine ecosystems will be well-suited to compete in similar tenders. Such projects not only contribute to business growth but also enhance expertise and profile within the industry. The direct procurement method indicates a preference for specialised suppliers who can meet specific research criteria, thereby offering a gateway for skilled R&D firms to demonstrate their proficiency and build long-term relationships with government organisations.

## Notice

To support the implementation of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), Cefas is commissioning a number of R&D projects to address evidence gaps. This project will characterize differences in physical features of whelks from fishing grounds in English waters. This information is intended to help set stock boundaries for purposes of assessing whelk stock and exploitation status in English waters and inform local management.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070800-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 4 Nov 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Oct 2025 |
| Contract period | 29 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £39,768 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE |
| 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | HERIOT WATT |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

## Release History

- 4 Nov 2025 at 12:15 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070800-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070800-2025
  4th November 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d9ce. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d9ce.json.