---
title: "Development of computer vision (AI) tools for REM of pelagic Fisheries"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT"
published: "2026-04-03"
---

# Development of computer vision (AI) tools for REM of pelagic Fisheries

Buyer: SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119.json)

## Summary

The Scottish Government has initiated a tender process, identified as APR553255, for the development of computer vision (AI) tools aimed at enhancing CCTV monitoring capabilities within pelagic fisheries. The contracting process is currently in the tender phase, with significant involvement from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate for compliance and scientific analysis. The project is located in the UKM region, specifically focusing on services to be delivered via an open procedure procurement method. Interested parties need to submit their electronic bids before the tender period ends on 19th May 2026 at 8:00 AM, with the award phase anticipated to start the same day. The procurement, valued at £75,000, is set within the general public services category, emphasising automated image analysis for fishery monitoring and regulation compliance.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in AI development, data analysis, and software integration within the fishing industry. Companies with experience in creating automated systems for real-time data processing, particularly in dynamic and varied environmental conditions, would find themselves well-suited to compete. Suppliers are expected to provide imagery from multiple vessel configurations in Scottish waters, suggesting growth potentials for collaborations with REM service providers and fishing vessels. Innovating within this sector not only addresses regulatory and compliance needs but also fosters enhancement of technical specifications for electronic monitoring, aligning with the goals of the Scottish Government toward sustainable fishery management and environmental protection.

## Notice

This requirement is for the development of computer vision (AI) tools for pelagic fisheries CCTV. The project will consider the development of an automated image analysis system to isolate (and quantify) activities (and animals) associated with pelagic fisheries, with a focus on the capture of UCB species in CCTV-observed fishing events of a given subset of vessels subject to mandatory Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM). The project will focus initially on counts of UCB events, but the intention would be to gather biological data on the individual animals caught e.g. classification to the finest possible level and estimates of size. The results will be used by Scottish Government Marine Directorate (SGMD) Compliance (for regulation infringement detection) and SGMD Science for bycatch rate estimation, as part of wider observer programmes, and to inform future revisions to REM technical specifications. The ultimate goal of this development work is to design, implement and test a UCB detection and classification system, including the supply of relevant CCTV footage from vessels in Scottish Waters.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

This system should be capable of being integrated into REM review software to automatically process and analyse video sequences from fishing trips to identify relevant events, count UCB events, and subsequently identify, count and measure all UCB individuals. It is important to point out that such a system should also be able to handle a realistic range of environmental noise such as variability of the location within the field of view, due to differing vessel layouts, in which events / animals have been detected, occlusions, pose variations, and lighting conditions. It is envisaged that this will be done in a probabilistic way, and that human intervention and further analysis will be suggested when the uncertainty exceeds a preset threshold (as there will be sections of footage in which identification will be very difficult due to occlusion). The system should be easily maintained and upgraded and will remain the property of the Scottish Government. This project will consider the development of interim stages towards fully automated image analysis tools for identifying and characterising atypical fishing activity events indicative of UCB species presence. In addition, the AI tools will subsequently determine the number (and, potentially, the size) of a subset of UCB observations via cameras as part of the mandated REM of eligible pelagic fishing vessels in Scottish waters. Attention would focus initially on the recorded numbers of UCB events as well as counts and size measurements for sea mammals (inc. cetaceans, seals), sharks / skates / rays, seabirds, and non-target bony fish. The results / products will be used by SGMD scientists to increase the efficiency of video review tasks, optimise the technical specifications of electronic monitoring systems for this fishery, estimate bycatch mortality rates, and identify fishing practices where mitigation measures may be required to protect vulnerable species. Specifically, this study will aim to: a) Develop a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate the viewing, sharing, collation, analysis and annotation of CCTV video footage from pelagic fishing vessels; b) Instruct and assist with the calibration of camera systems (if required) to ensure field-of-view and lens distortion correction in length measurements; c) Develop detection algorithms to detect, classify (to the most detailed taxonomic level feasible), and measure individuals of UCB species passing through the dewatering separator from representative video footage; d) Develop detection algorithms to determine when activity is taking place on-deck or in-water in relation to catch handling and apply facial recognition to anonymise the recorded footage; e) Develop detection algorithms to detect, classify (at the minimum level of mammals, elasmobranchs, non-target fish, and seabirds) and measure (inter alia) individuals of ETP species on deck or in-water from representative video footage. Suppliers should provide imagery from a minimum of 3 vessels. However, it is desirable that imagery is inclusive of both freezer vessels and refrigerated / chilled water vessels, vessels with differing deck layouts and catch handling configurations; and vessels from multiple flag states. Imagery provided to Scottish Government for annotation within the GUI must be anonymised regarding its metadata and have had facial recognition blurring methods applied. Suppliers must arrange to have access to suitable CCTV footage from Scottish Waters, either within their own data storage architecture (if they are an REM service provider) or via partnership with an REM service provider / pelagic fishing boats. It is anticipated that the project will be entirely computer lab-based, as all required video footage is being collected on an on-going basis as a matter of routine.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553255 |
| Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 19 May 2026 |
| Future notice date | 31 Jan 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Aug 2026 - 30 Nov 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £75,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT |
| Locality | GLASGOW |
| Post town | Glasgow |
| Postcode | G2 8LU |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM3 West Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM32 Glasgow City |
| Local authority | Glasgow City |
| Electoral ward | Anderston/City/Yorkhill |
| Westminster constituency | Glasgow North |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 71354500 - Marine survey services
- 73112000 - Marine research services

## Release History

- 3 Apr 2026 at 00:00 - Tender - PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553255
- 9 Jan 2026 at 00:00 - Planning - PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN546811

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JAN546811&idx=1
  13th February 2026 - First Question- response
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN546811
  Development of computer vision (AI) tools for REM of pelagic Fisheries - This requirement is for the development of computer vision (AI) tools for pelagic fisheries CCTV. The project will consider the development of an automated image analysis system to isolate (and quantify) activities (and animals) associated with pelagic fisheries, with a focus on the capture of UCB species in CCTV-observed fishing events of a given subset of vessels subject to mandatory Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM). The project will focus initially on counts of UCB events, but the intention would be to gather biological data on the individual animals caught e.g. classification to the finest possible level and estimates of size. The results will be used by Scottish Government Marine Directorate (SGMD) Compliance (for regulation infringement detection) and SGMD Science for bycatch rate estimation, as part of wider observer programmes, and to inform future revisions to REM technical specifications. The ultimate goal of this development work is to design, implement and test a UCB detection and classification system, including the supply of relevant CCTV footage from vessels in Scottish Waters.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553255
  Development of computer vision (AI) tools for REM of pelagic Fisheries - This requirement is for the development of computer vision (AI) tools for pelagic fisheries CCTV. The project will consider the development of an automated image analysis system to isolate (and quantify) activities (and animals) associated with pelagic fisheries, with a focus on the capture of UCB species in CCTV-observed fishing events of a given subset of vessels subject to mandatory Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM). The project will focus initially on counts of UCB events, but the intention would be to gather biological data on the individual animals caught e.g. classification to the finest possible level and estimates of size. The results will be used by Scottish Government Marine Directorate (SGMD) Compliance (for regulation infringement detection) and SGMD Science for bycatch rate estimation, as part of wider observer programmes, and to inform future revisions to REM technical specifications. The ultimate goal of this development work is to design, implement and test a UCB detection and classification system, including the supply of relevant CCTV footage from vessels in Scottish Waters.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- http://www.scotland.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119
- https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=828555
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=828555
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx

## 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-r6ebe6-0000820119. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000820119.json.