Resolving conflicts between Great Cormorants and economic activities depends on up-to-date knowledge of population size, dynamics, and seasonal distribution. To address this, the European Commission considers supporting a new international pan- European count of the Great cormorant in winter 2027 and a comprehensive literature review on the current state of research on cormorant interactions with fisheries, aquaculture and protected fish species, as well as their ecological impact, ecosystem services and conflict management strategies.
Kick-off meeting at Commission premises (physical, within four weeks from contract signature) Winter fieldwork counts on cormorant roosts across Europe and north Africa (approximately 30 countries) in winter 2027 High-level event in Brussels to present study results with all relevant stakeholders and associated press conference (contractor to organise) Policy event in Brussels with relevant stakeholders to highlight key outcomes (contractor to organise) All coordination/progress meetings must be organised by videoconferencing to limit (air) travel, unless otherwise specified by the contracting authority
Tenderers can be natural or legal persons. Tenderers are not obliged to take a specific legal form in order to submit their tenders. Tenderers (sole tenderer or group leader only) must prove that they have legal capacity to perform the contract subject to this call for tenders.
Tenderers must comply with the following selection criteria in order to prove that they have the necessary economic and financial capacity to perform the contract.
The tenderer must prove experience in the field of wildlife ecology, preferably dealing with cormorants, the Birds and Habitats Directives, as well as related policies (e.g. biodiversity, fisheries, aquaculture), data collection, bird population surveys, statistical analyses, drafting reports and recommendations, communication and stakeholder involvement.
The tenderer must prove capacity to work in three EU official languages including at least English.
The tenderer must prove capacity to draft reports in English.
The tenderer must prove its capacity to work in at least five EU countries.
The team delivering the service should include, as a minimum, the following profile: Project Manager: At least 10 years' experience in project management, including overseeing project delivery, quality control of delivered service, client orientation and conflict resolution experience in projects of a similar size (at least € 250 000) and Pan European coverage, with experience in management of teams of at least five people.
At least three members of the team should have at least C1 level in the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages in English.
Experts in wildlife ecology, conservation biology, ornithology: At least fifteen years of professional experience in working with cormorants and interactions with fisheries. Relevant higher education degree or equivalent professional experience.
Experts in Data management/statistics: Collectively the team should provide evidence of professional competence and operational capabilities to carry out the tasks included in the project related to the management and statistical analysis, including modelling, of the expected type of data.
Team for census/data collection: Collectively the team should have knowledge which can be demonstrated with the well-established experience and practice of the organisation and central coordination of the counting of cormorants during at least one of the last three pan European census. The team should have sufficient number of people (at least 5 people) to ensure the collection of the necessary data. The composition of the team should ensure linguistic capabilities as well as specific professional knowledge and experience dealing with the particular local/regional circumstances required by the large geographic coverage of the project.
Published 12 June 2026 · rebuilt nightly from the official notice.