1.TITLE
Shellfish Water Classification Program Water Sampling Contract – British Columbia
2.PROGRAM
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Pacific & Yukon Region, Science & Technology Branch, Shellfish Water Classification Program (SWCP)
3.BACKGROUND
The Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) has the primary objective of protecting public health from the consumption of contaminated bivalve molluscan shellfish by controlling harvesting of shellfish in Canada. Under the CSSP, shellfish harvest areas require annual review of sanitary conditions and bacteriological water quality sampling at key marine monitoring sites.
Public health protection is required due to the filter-feeding mechanism of bivalve molluscs (clams, oysters, mussels, etc.), which can concentrate, in their meats, potentially pathogenic bacteria and viruses found in growing waters polluted by fecal matter of human or animal origin. Many consumers prefer to eat shellfish that are partially cooked, such as steamed clams, or raw, as in the case of oysters. Thus, elevated concentrations of live and potentially harmful microorganisms may be ingested.
A bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and the United States of America on sanitary control of shellfish was signed in 1948 to ensure wholesomeness of shellfish harvested in both countries. In support of the Agreement, the CSSP manual requires all classified shellfish harvesting areas be surveyed annually for water quality; this work is the responsibility of ECCC’s SWCP.
For more information on the CSSP, please refer to the following link:
http://inspection.gc.ca/food/food-specific-requiremen…
4.OBJECTIVE
ECCC’s SWCP requires the services of a contractor to carry out annual bacteriological water quality sampling of shellfish harvest areas, according to the Zones identified in Appendices C, F and I. Sampling of shellfish harvesting areas along the British Columbia coast are divided up into three distinct Survey Areas as identified below. The data collected will be used to meet CSSP requirements and inform classification decisions.
Survey Areas:
Survey Area 1 - South Coast of British Columbia
Appendix A to Annex A - General Description of Survey Area 1
Appendix B to Annex A - Description of Survey Area 1
Appendix C to Annex A - Survey Maps and Locations of Survey Area 1
Survey Area 2 - Central Coast of British Columbia
Appendix D to Annex A - General Description of Survey Area 2
Appendix E to Annex A - Description of Survey Area 2
Appendix F to Annex A - Survey Maps and Locations of Survey Area 2
Survey Area 3 - North Coast of British Columbia
Appendix G to Annex A - General Description of the Survey Area 3
Appendix H to Annex A - Description of Survey Area 3
Appendix I to Annex A - Survey Maps and Locations of Survey Area 3
5.THE WORK
5.1Collection of Samples
The Contractor must collect water samples near the surface (20 cm depth) at each marine sample site by boat, float-equipped aircraft or possibly, by other means such as land-based vehicle. Unless specified otherwise, the Contractor must collect one marine sample per survey from each sample site location, in accordance with sample collection protocols provided by ECCC, as outlined in Section 5.2.1. Upon award of the Contract, ECCC will provide to the Contractor a detailed survey schedule, as well as sample site location descriptions and geographical coordinates.
During each year of the Contract, the Contractor must sample each site at a frequency of either two, five or six times over separate surveys. ECCC will schedule surveys to meet sampling frequency requirements, among other considerations. Specific details and maps of Zones outlining the general location of sample sites collected during each survey are included in Appendices C, F, and I for planning purposes. Changes to sampling requirements, in order to respond to evolving program needs, may necessitate the addition or deletion of sample sites, changes in sampling frequency or the location of specific sample sites. On infrequent occasions, the Contractor may be asked to collect sample(s) of freshwater (e.g. from a creek or culvert adjacent to a marine sample site). The amount of extra time needed for the collection of freshwater samples would be minimal.
ECCC schedules surveys taking into consideration factors such as seasonality, tidal elevation and other relevant factors. When possible, the Contractor should attempt to sample on an ebbing tide, while ensuring that all identified sample sites (specifically those located in large intertidal areas) are collected during a given survey. Contractor boats (or other means of sampling vehicle) must carry sufficient fuel to complete long sampling runs that typically range from four to eight hours to complete. Contractors may aim to collect up to the laboratory’s daily maximum sample capacity where possible, as specified in Appendices B, E and H. When establishing the survey schedule, ECCC may combine more than one Zone into a given survey week provided that sampling can be completed from Sunday through Wednesday, inclusive.
5.2Planning and Logistics
The Contractor must decide what sampling arrangements and mode of transport works best to meet all survey requirements for the specified Zone(s). Certain sample sites may not be accessible at lower tidal elevations, therefore route planning must account for tidal fluctuations. ECCC has ample experience conducting these surveys; therefore, the Contractor must consult with ECCC on the sampling plan and survey logistics.
The Contractor is expected to provide to ECCC, at least one week (seven days) prior to the scheduled survey, an itinerary including information such as the area(s) being sampled, the planned number of samples per day, field crews, contact information and delivery details. Upon award of the Contract, ECCC will provide the Contractor with a survey itinerary template in which all this information must be incorporated.
Each survey can last anywhere from one to four consecutive days of sampling, plus the time to mobilize crews and equipment as needed. Although the Contractor must conduct most sampling Monday to Wednesday, to accommodate weather windows or other considerations, the Contractor may elect to sample on Sunday, provided shipping is available to ECCC’s laboratory in North Vancouver for Monday morning delivery and the Contractor meets all other requirements. Under certain circumstances, such as weather, it may be mutually beneficial to extend the survey to Thursday to complete the Work. The Contractor may only complete work on a Thursday after prior approval from ECCC or if specified in Appendices B, E and H when an ECCC mobile laboratory is stationed in the field.
The Contractor must conduct sampling between dawn to one hour prior to dusk, and must put crew safety as first priority. Sample delivery (shipping) cut-off times are an important consideration for the timing of completing daily sampling requirements. ECCC will schedule sampling throughout the year (twelve months), therefore daylight hours may be limited during some survey periods.
On rare occasions during the course of a survey year, due to considerations such as inclement weather, ECCC may be required to cancel, reschedule or repeat a survey. Given the circumstances, with as much advance notice as possible, ECCC will communicate with the Contractor the possibility of cancelling a survey. If a survey is cancelled, ECCC will consult with the Contractor and attempt to reschedule the survey at a mutually agreeable time.
