In connection with the implementation of the MAREANO programme the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research wishes to enter into a framework agreement for the identification of species and biomass survey of Polychaeta and Amphipoda.

The material shall be collected from 100-3 000 metres depth, but mainly in the depth interval 100-1 000 metres. The relevant material shall mainly be collected by using a Van-veen grab sampler (Polychaeta) and a RP sledge (Amphipoda). Some material shall also be collected by using a beam trawl. At each station two grab samples of 0.25 m each shall be collected, and 1 swipe of 5 and 15 minutes each for the beam trawl and the RP sledge respectively (1-1.5 knot towing speed). The sieve size on-board the vessel is 0.5 mm for sledge, 1 mm for grab and 5 mm for beam trawl materials. The RP sledge's collecting width is 1 metre. The beam trawl's collecting width is 2 metres. The contracting authority expects to collect benthic fauna from 25 to 40 stations per annum.

The benthic fauna shall as far as possible be identified to species level.