UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

This is a desk-based study and will include a systematic literature search to identify any published papers on input and output controls and management of scallop or similar/applicable fisheries globally.

RDE Sublot 5.2 - RDE679 - UKBCEP Greenhouse Gases Inventory Develop a baseline map of UK saltmarsh extent and land use from 1990 to include Blue Carbon in the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

The Greenhouse Gas Inventory Working Group was commissioned by the UKBCEP in 2024 to build on existing work to inform the UK's approach for considering inclusion of coastal wetlands in the UK GHG Inventory. The working group has been using the report 'Defining saltmarsh and the roadmap for its potential inclusion in the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Inventory', led by the UKCEH, to determine its workplan. The working group is chaired by Cefas and relies on the expertise brought to the group by its members. The group currently meets every 6 weeks with at least one in-person meeting each year. Cefas are looking to secure the time of experts from the UKCEH to attend and contribute towards working group meetings and activities throughout the year. This will include attendance at both online and in-person meetings, where feasible and input into workplan preparation as well as ad-hoc correspondence between meetings, where relevant.

To start tackling some of these gaps so we can continue to move forward with implementing FMPs, Cefas, on behalf of Defra, are commissioning a number of Research and Development (R&D) projects which aim to address some of these evidence gaps. Contract awarded by Defra.

Contribution for the development of Catch rules for the sustainable exploitation of data-limited fish stocks

This project will address the practical knowledge gap by using statistical modelling to predict RTD distribution and abundance in relation to human activities under different management scenarios. Contract awarded by Defra.

UKCEH worked on phase 1 in FY24/25 and this proposed project will form phase 2 of the basemap development. Contract awarded by Defra.

Provision of statutory official controls shellfish chemical contaminants monitoring services on behalf of Cefas for Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and Food Standards Agency (FSA) England and Wales, as detailed in Appendix 1 including: 1) Provision of 2026 Official Control monitoring services for FSS chemical contaminants programme. Contract awarded by Defra.

The continuous and escalating pressures from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and the intensified utilisation of natural habitats are placing marine ecosystems under unprecedented strain. This ongoing degradation compromises the resilience of these systems, making them more vulnerable to acute shocks like marine heat waves and spills, as well as chronic stresses such as wind farm construction. The decline in ecosystem health not only threatens fisheries and other livelihoods but also hampers our capacity for carbon absorption. To effectively manage and mitigate these challenges, there is an ever-increasing demand for cost-effective and targeted environmental monitoring. Modern technologies, including drones, computer vision, and artificial intelligence (AI), are proving invaluable in enhancing monitoring capabilities while reducing the need for intensive human involvement. However, traditional visible light surveys of benthic and coastal habitats offer limited insights into the identification of flora, fauna, and pollution. In response to these limitations, there is a growing adoption of hyperspectral imagery. This technology captures significant amounts of data beyond the visible light revealing new environmental detail, surpassing the capabilities of visible light or human monitoring. Cefas requires a sensor to develop and extend its monitoring capability for coastal and benthic environments. Hyperspectral imaging is required to detect and characterise flora and fauna on land (seaweed on rocks, on beach), sea surface (plankton, algae) and underwater (benthic epifauna and flora). In addition, ideally the sensor would allow us to detect pollutants such as plastics that are characterized more in the Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) range of spectrum. The sensor will support near‑term pilot pipelines for: (a) benthic habitat surveys (via Cefas custom built housing) and (b) aerial shoreline surveys for plastic detection, while providing a flexible platform for future applications. Scope of Requirements: Technical Requirement The Supplier will provide a complete hyperspectral infrared imaging solution suitable for both Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operation and laboratory use, including all necessary hardware, lenses, software and accessories required to acquire, calibrate, process and export orthorectified hyperspectral data cubes. At a minimum, the proposed system will be capable of capturing data across the Very Near Infrared (VNIR) spectral range (400–1000 nm). Ideally, a drone-mountable solution would extend coverage to include VNIR, Near Infrared (NIR), and as much of the SWIR range as feasible—targeting a full spectral span of approximately 400–2700 nm. Cefas understand that drone-compatible SWIR sensors may exceed the maximum available budget (£130,000 inc. VAT). Therefore, a hybrid approach of a drone-mounted VNIR sensor, complemented by a laboratory-based (non-flyable) SWIR system is an acceptable solution. Cefas is open to alternative configurations if the Supplier can propose a more suitable option that meets the technical requirements and stays within budget. In addition, the Supplier will provide comprehensive training on implementing data processing pipelines for hyperspectral data collected from the sensor, as well as operational support for Cefas drone pilots. This support will include training sessions covering environmental conditions, target selection, and sensor configuration to ensure optimal data collection Clear documentation of all data collection and processing steps are essential.

Illumina sequencing consumables required to projects on the Illumina NextSeq2000

Essentials of working in on or near water and Emergency First Aid Training

Specialist service to package, collect and dispose of Lowestoft radioactive sealed sources that are no longer required. Under our EPR permit we must dispose of any radioactive sources that are no longer required.

As part of an ongoing research project, Cefas is collaborating with Defra and industry partners for the provision of the 2025 May king scallop dredge survey services. This Contract seeks to secure a suitable vessel and all management, crew, victuals, fuel, and other services necessary to carry out the requirements.

Hire of Trinity House guard buoys for 14 locations around the UK. These are essential as tehy provide protection to out Waverider buoys at these locations.

The aim of this project is to establish an aquaculture data hub. This will provide a mapping interface with search and querying functionality to access information on aquaculture locations, sectoral production statistics and environmental performance, and host key position papers for the industry in one place, providing an essential resource for regulators (Defra, Cefas, MMO) policy teams, industry, researchers and the wider public. Importantly, the website will address a primary recommendation of the English Aquaculture Strategy (2020), published by Poseidon, which identified the limited availability of comprehensive information as a barrier to the development of the Aquaculture industry. The services covered under this procurement include stakeholder mapping and consultation, website development, governance and publicity.

Contract for setting up an aquaculture hub through the creation of a website / information portal and database to support aquaculture in England.

The Marine Protected Area (MPA) monitoring programme is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and through this programme, Cefas co-ordinates some of the evidence collection for the monitoring of MPAs in English waters.<br/><br/>Cefas wish to commission a contract for the analysis of imagery collected from two sites in the English Channel in 2023 and 2024. These surveys covered Wight-Barfleur Reef Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Offshore Brighton Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) respectively, which both contain similar seabed conditions and sediment types.<br/><br/>The supplier is required to undertake the analysis of seabed imagery (still images and videos) collected on the CEND1723 survey by drop frame camera (DC) at WBRF SAC, as well as DC video data collected on the CEND0524 survey at OBRG MCZ:<br/><br/>• 54 stations were sampled at WBRF SAC using a triplicate transect approach, acquiring 4449 images of sufficient quality for analysis and 18 hours 39 minutes of video.<br/>• Six stations were sampled with drop camera in a single transect for ground truthing purposes at OBRG MCZ, with one station being sampled in triplicate, totalling nine videos. Overall 3 hours and 3 minutes of video were acquired.

A replacement camera system for a JEOL 1400 TEM to include camera, scintillator, PC and software. Must use the existing camera interface. A high readout speed and minimum 12megapixels, a wide field of view along with an electronic shutter and high-speed camera link digital interface. 1.2 The supplied PC to have Windows 11 professional and a minimum of dual 1TB hard drive, 8 GB RAM. A 24” monitor and all cables and accessories to be included