CEFAS22-65 - Request for Quotation for a survey to conduct seabed sediment sampling and underwater imagery collection survey work at Albert Field MCZ

On behalf of Natural England Cefas wish to undertake ecological survey work collecting habitat validation data from the Albert Field MCZ. Grab sampling underwater video (video and still images) sampling operations are to be conducted at 44 stations within the Albert Field MCZ (Annex 1). Sampling details Sediment samples: Sediment samples are to be collected with a 0.1m2 mini Hamon grab and processed for: i) Particle size (PSA) sub-sample ii) Macrofauna (sieved to 1 mm) At 36 stations single replicate sediment samples will be collected and at each of the remaining eight stations three replicate samples will be collected (a PSA sub sample is to be collected for each replicate). See Annex 2 for notes regarding sediment sample validity and an overview of the sample processing protocol elements which are specified for the collection of these samples. PSA samples must be frozen upon collection and transfer of the frozen samples to Cefas laboratories arranged upon the survey demob. Fauna samples must be preserved in formalin (4 % seawater buffered formaldehyde solution) and transfer arranged to Cefas laboratories upon survey demob.