Scope
Reference
CEFAS25-26
Description
Clean Catch, funded by Defra, is a collaborative programme that is key to the UK Government's ambitions to help minimise and - where possible - eliminate bycatch of sensitive marine species, as set out under the ecosystem objective of the Fisheries Act and elaborated in the UK Marine Wildlife Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI). Originally established in 2019, Clean Catch has now entered a second three year "expansion" phase, stewarded by a consortium of partners (Cefas, Arribada Initiative, MMO Consulting, Mindfully Wired Communications (MWC) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL)) which runs until the end of October 2026. The overarching objectives of the current phase are to expand its scope and trials for monitoring and mitigation of bycatch and enhance its role in knowledge exchange within and beyond the UK.
Cefas are leading the delivery of two Clean Catch monitoring and mitigation trials, the first is the "Southwest cetacean bycatch mitigation trial in inshore gillnets" which started in May 2024 and the second is the "North Sea whitefish fishery seabird bycatch mitigation trial" which is currently in the co-design phase with the Clean Catch consortium and the vessel owners, skippers and Producer Organisation. The trials are for research and development purposes and not for compliance monitoring. Both trials have a local Fishery Liaison officer assigned to them to ensure regular and effective communication between the consortium and trialists. Cefas will provide contact details and an introduction to the Fishery Liaison officer on Contract award.
Data on sensitive species bycatch associated with participating vessels in the Southwest cetacean mitigation trial is primarily collected using Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) and a skipper self-reporting smartphone application (the Clean Catch app). Although in the co-design phase of the North Sea whitefish fishery seabird bycatch mitigation trial, it is anticipated that REM will be the primarily scientific data collection tool. Whilst each trial is focused on mitigating the bycatch of a specific taxa (cetaceans or seabirds) information about all sensitive species bycatch events is recorded as part of the monitoring during the trial.
Lot 1. Southwest Cetacean Mitigation Trial
Description
Data collection for the southwest cetacean mitigation trial began in 2019 but was simplified to test only one pinger type (acoustic deterrent) in May 2024. Remote Electronic Monitoring has been used as the primary data collection method, alongside skipper self-reporting. For this Lot, we are procuring REM analysis services only.
Lot 2. North Sea Whitefish Fishery Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Trial
Description
Following outreach to the fishing industry for applications to work with the Clean Catch consortium on a sensitive species bycatch monitoring and mitigation trial, the North Sea mixed whitefish fishery, operating out of Peterhead, Scotland, was selected. The fishery which operates >120mm single and pair trawl gear, identified seabird bycatch/interactions in their application, namely gannets in the cod end and potentially seabird warp strikes, and their interest is trialling bird scaring lines. Although seabirds are the focus of this trail, as with the southwest cetacean bycatch mitigation trial, information about all sensitive species bycatch will be collected as part of the monitoring.
Contract 1. Remote electronic monitoring data analysis
Lots
Lot 1. Southwest Cetacean Mitigation Trial
Lot 2. North Sea Whitefish Fishery Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Trial
Supplier
Contract value
- £400,000 excluding VAT
- £400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
20 October 2025
Contract dates
- 20 October 2025 to 31 March 2026
- Possible extension to 31 March 2028
- 2 years, 5 months, 12 days
Description of possible extension:
Option to extend for a further 2 periods of up to 12 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Justification for not setting key performance indicators
Below the £5 million threshold
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
Sinay
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYPJ-8111-VWHT
14 rue Alfred Kastler
Caen
14000
France
Email: ao@sinay.fr
Website: http://sinay.ai
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Remote electronic monitoring data analysis
Contracting authority
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPGW-5299-JGTN
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
United Kingdom
Email: procure@cefas.gov.uk
Region: UKH14 - Suffolk
Organisation type: Public authority - central government