Across Wales Intertidal Monitoring Project

Summary of Background:
Natural Resources Wales has a statutory duty (formerly held by the Countryside Council for Wales) to produce advice under Regulation 35 (formerly Regulation 33) of the Habitats Regulations 1994 (updated 2010), which states:
'As soon as possible after a site becomes a European marine site, [NRW / NE] shall advise other relevant authorities as to —
— the conservation objectives for that site, and
— any operations which may cause deterioration of natural habitats or (...) disturbance of species, for which the site has been designated'.
The Regulation 35 advice package is the foundation for feature condition monitoring, which is required in order for NRW to fulfil its function of reporting on whether features are in Favourable Conservation Status (FCS). The Habitats Directive establishes that the management of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) should aim to achieve the FCS of habitat and species features. Features can be, for example, an entire habitat, a range of plant/animal communities, an individual plant/animal community or individual species. In the case of the Habitats Directive, the features are the habitats and species listed in Annex I and Annex II for which the individual site has been selected.
To inform management and enable reporting on the FCS of intertidal habitats of SAC, Special Protection Areas (SPAs: Birds Directive) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), NRW require implementation of an intertidal monitoring program through contracting in additional capacity. NRW staff and the Contractor, in consultation, will continue to develop and implement the monitoring programme for each statutory site. Previous and current intertidal SAC monitoring in Wales has involved modified ‘Intertidal Phase 1' methods; fixed and random quadrats; intertidal sediment cores and photographic techniques.
The fieldwork will be conducted within Wales and spread between statutory sites that contain intertidal features. The project will focus on sub-habitats of the broad SAC features: intertidal mudflats and sandflats, reefs (including biogenic reefs), shallow inlets and bays and estuaries.
The contractors will maintain a close working relationship with NRW marine specialist staff in the design, implementation and analysis; and provide regular presentation, reporting, analysis and interpretation of the monitoring work, including identifying opportunities to publish the monitoring work in scientific and other journals. The program will harmonise the monitoring work with Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive monitoring objectives where they overlap.
This program of work requires up to 5 weeks (25 days) of intertidal fieldwork, typically using an effective team of two skilled contractors, plus an assistant. For extensive sediment surveys, it may be better value for money to increase the number of less skilled personnel. A further member of NRW staff will make up the team of 4 surveyors as standard (this can be varied, within the scope of the required survey work).
The following are essential requirements:
— Numerous years' experience in planning and carrying out marine intertidal rocky and sediment surveys. The requirement to be able to cross difficult terrain and sediment flats is important in this contract.
— A high level of skill in the identification of marine intertidal and shallow sublittoral animals and plants.
— An appropriate quality assurance mechanism, to ensure good quality data and reports.
— A proven record of data analysis, presentation and report writing in marine ecology.
The following are desirable requirements:
— Experience in data management and archiving in line with MEDIN guidelines.
— Have an understanding of the Habitats Directive and Water Framework Directive.
— Some experience in operating from small boats.
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The project will focus on sub-habitats of the broad SAC features: intertidal mudflats and sandflats, reefs (including biogenic reefs), shallow inlets and bays and estuaries.
2.1. Aims:
— To complete fieldwork monitoring across Wales using existing monitoring techniques, on an annual basis.
— To further develop and establish a programme of monitoring work for statutory sites with intertidal habitat and species features in Wales.
— To maintain a close working relationship between the contractors and NRW marine specialist staff in the design, implementation, analysis and reporting of the marine intertidal monitoring program.
— To harmonise the programme of monitoring work in SACs with Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive monitoring objectives where they overlap.
— To provide regular presentation, reporting, analysis and interpretation of the monitoring work, including identifying opportunities to publish the monitoring work in scientific and other journals.
Estimated value excluding VAT:
Range: between 250 000 and 400 000 GBP