Helicopter for the Aerial Survey of Seals Suring the Harbour Seal Moult Season 2023(to 2025)

Description

The purpose of this exercise is to achieve best value for money in the services provided to the SMRU for the Aerial Survey Programme. In August 2023, SMRU will require to carry out harbour seal surveys in western Scotland, between Loch Hourn and the English border in the Solway Firth. Surveys will be carried out in August, during the harbour seals’ annual moult, and should require approximately 40-45 hours flying time, including transits. Surveys are weather dependent; we cannot survey in moderate or heavy rain as seals are more likely to leave their haul-out sites in very wet conditions. Approximately 30-35 hours of flying are currently planned for August 2024. SMRU have developed a technique for surveying harbour seals inhabiting rocky coastlines using a thermal imaging camera in a helicopter. The survey equipment that will be used on/in the aircraft as described in the full Specification.