CEFAS26-106 Contract for Expert contribution for data-limited methods for category 4-6 stocks

Cefas requires expert services from Laurence Kell 'SEA++' limited, for the provision of expert contribution to support the delivery of Cefas Large Collaborative Project LCP003, Task 1.1 "data-limited methods for category 4-6 stocks". The contract is based on the requirements and structure of a previous agreement with Cefas, adapted for current needs.

Task 1.1 of the relevant project will use length data from fisheries to design catch rules that lead to substantial improvement in performance (in terms of increased yield and reduced risk of resource depletion), when compared to the current International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) catch rules for category 4-6 stocks (stocks without stock size indices; catch advice reduced every three years). It develops methods that utilise alternative data in catch rules (e.g. spatial indicators) and builds the simulation framework to test them.

Requirements:

Specialised technical requirements to be met by the supplier:

• Expert contribution for the method development for data-limited fish stocks.
• Expert, in-depth knowledge of management strategy evaluation (MSE) and associated techniques (including the Fisheries Library in R, FLR) and internationally recognised leader in these topics.
• In-depth knowledge of data-limited evaluation techniques, including methods development, and well-established experience in the ICES data-limited methods workshop WKLIFE (including life-history and length-based methods).
• World leading expert in stock assessment methods, model validation, and diagnostics.
• Expertise in high-performance computing, including methods for massive parallelisation.
• Supervision of PhD students.

The supplier will provide expert contribution to the project, including:

• Conceptualisation of framework for severely data-limited stocks
• Exploration of length-based catch rules
• Review of size-based fisheries management options
• Development and testing of spatial indicator approaches, including hindcasting.
• Contributions to international workshops, such as the ICES data-limited methods workshop ICES WKLIFE in September 2026, and attendance at monthly meetings with Cefas.
• Supervision and support of Cefas staff PhD students on spatial indicators in collaboration with Imperial College London

Meetings and Communication

• The supplier will attend monthly meetings (in-person or online) as agreed with the project team.
• Additional meetings may be scheduled as required.
• Regular updates and correspondence will be maintained throughout the contract period.

Deliverables:

Delivery, as outlined in the requirement section above, will be throughout the duration of the contract with regular meetings and agreed contributions which will be confirmed via correspondence with Cefas project LCP003 1.1 task leader. The deliverables include support for the following elements:

1. Work on data-limited catch rules (including conceptual framework for severely data-limited stocks, review of length-based catch rules, written review of size-based fisheries management options)
2. Hindcast analysis of spatial indicators
3. Regular meeting attendance and expert input
4. Support, review, and feedback on project outputs and publications
5. Supervision of Cefas PhD student , as part of the project

a. Elements 1-5 are to be delivered by 31 March 2026.

Quantity:

• 20 working days by the supplier
• Travel

o UK travel reimbursed at actual cost with receipts

o International travel reimbursed as per UK Government rates, with receipts, e.g. 6 days to cover attendance at international meeting

Location for services to be undertaken:

Hybrid: Online and in-person meetings at Cefas, Lowestoft laboratory, UK; international meeting attendance, either in person or online.