Education and awareness program on fisheries management plan implementation

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

Education and Awareness Planning for Fisheries Governance Reforms in Seychelles

• Introduction

The development agenda of Seychelles is now firmly viewed through the lens of a blue economy, focused on the growth of ocean-based economies that are environmentally and socially sustainable. Tourism and fisheries, the two main pillars of the economy, are central to strategies for meeting the goal of a blue economy. In terms of fisheries, the Ministry of Fisheries & Agriculture (MFA) and Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) are the principal public institutions tasked with overseeing development and governance of the sector. To promote best practices in governance, the fisheries sector legislation was recently modernised (Fisheries Act, 2014) and makes provision for an ecosystem approach to fisheries management and the adoption of rights-based approaches.

The artisanal fisheries of Seychelles, which contribute substantially to food security and employment, remain predominantly characterised by open access regimes and are subject to overcapitalisation and overfishing, while also being subsidised. A management plan for the line and trap fisheries of the Mahé Plateau, which are responsible for the majority of artisanal fishery landings, anticipates an end to open access through limiting the number of participants. Subsequent reviews of the plan have recommended the need for stronger controls on catch or fishing effort to allow stocks to rebuild and improve profitability, paving the way for adoption of rights-based approaches. Strengthening of the management plan requires parallel reforms to address the issues of subsidies and overcapitalisation, and an enabling environment for investment in the value chains to offset the short-term socioeconomic impacts during stock rebuilding.

A long-term vision and capacity building for stakeholders are critical to effective implementation of fisheries governance reforms. These are particularly relevant in contexts where fishers have historically experienced open access and unregulated fishing. Building dialogue and trust between government and fishers are a core reason for the co-management structures promoted by the Fisheries Act for fisheries management, but these institutions also require capacity building to strengthen decision-making. Exchanges and dialogue with fisheries stakeholders that have experienced the costs and benefits of pervasive governance reforms can be beneficial to capacity building and improved engagement and leadership in reform processes.

The Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish3) is a 6-year project due to start in 2018. The project provides a financial and technical support mechanism for Seychelles to undertake fisheries reforms and the necessary education and awareness activities that will be essential for engagement of stakeholders in the reform process. In planning for governance reforms under SWIOFish3, Seychelles has benefitted from technical cooperation with the Prince of Wales’s International Sustainability Unit and the Government of New Zealand. SWIOFish3 has now identified the benefits of cooperation with experienced industry representatives to facilitate visioning for governance reforms with stakeholders and identify education and awareness opportunities that are sensitive to the needs of fishers. Based on this expertise and cooperation, a plan for SWIOFish3 to implement education and awareness in support of the reform process will be produced.

• Objective

The objective of this assignment is to support the implementation of the SWIOFish3 objectives by facilitating the development of a medium-term vision and education and awareness plan for fisheries governance reforms.

• Scope of Work

• Review the current challenges and opportunities for fisheries governance reform in Seychelles in relation to ongoing interventions through policy and project support

• Engage with key stakeholders (i.e. government, fishers and value chain operators), through meetings and workshops, on the implications of fisheries governance reform, providing a first-hand perspective on industry’s experiences with reforms in other countries

• Building on current management plans and the bioeconomic basis for reforms[1], collaborate with stakeholders to build consensus and consolidate a 2023 vision for governance reforms, which will form the basis for SWIOFish3 strategic planning and activities

• Draft a 6-year education and awareness strategy based on the vision for governance reforms and the phased strengthening of fisheries management plans, drawing on experience from effective programs conducted in other fishery contexts (e.g. Fishing into the Future and other initiatives)

• Identify support networks, peer-to-peer exchange partners and other education/awareness support for fishers and fishery value chain operators in Seychelles

• Recommend policy and financing options to strengthen the engagement of fishers and their associations in governance processe

• Deliverables

The Expert will be expected to submit or support the following deliverables:

• A concise technical report (approx. 15 pages excluding annexes) outlining: the governance context, vision for phased introduction of reforms, education and awareness needs assessment and recommendations for strengthening fisher engagement in reform processes

• A 6-year education and awareness strategy (approx. 10 pages) for SWIOFish3 to support governance reforms and the phased strengthening of fisheries management plan

• Duration and Timing

The assignment will be for 21 working days with 14 days in Seychelles. The mission to Seychelles is provisionally scheduled for March 2018.

• Supervision Responsibility

The Expert will be supervised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture with support from the SWIOFish3 Project Implementation Unit and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA).

• Consultant qualifications

For this assignment, the Ministry of Fisheries & Agriculture is seeking a consultant with the following profile and specific qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a discipline related to fisheries policy and planning, natural resource economics and management, or related field;

• At least 10 years proven experience in representing fishers and industry at national or regional-levels of fisheries management and governance, with experience in guiding fishers through governance reform processes advantageous;

• Demonstrable experience in education and awareness for fishers and value chain operators, and promoting their engagement in fisheries science and management;

• Broad knowledge and understanding of the key development and sustainability issues in the fisheries sector, including specifics of small-scale or artisanal fisheries;

• Experience in policy development and strategic planning in the field of fisheries and/or natural resource management;

• Strong communication and facilitation skills and ability to engage at technical and non-technical levels for a broad spectrum of fishery stakeholders;

• Strong analytical, and report writing skills;

• High computer literacy;

• Full proficiency in English is a requirement.

• Application Process

The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture is now inviting individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Expressions of Interest (EOI) shall consist of a cover letter and curriculum vitae. The deadline for submission of EOI is 9th February 2018 and should be clearly marked using the Subject Line ‘‘Education and Awareness Planning for Fisheries Governance Reforms in Seychelles”. Interested applicants may obtain further details from Dr Jan Robinson ([email protected]). The procurement process will be conducted according to the World Bank’s procedures.

Completed EOIs should be delivered by email or post to:

Mrs. Marie-Anne Denousse

Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

2nd Floor, Maison Collet

P.O. Box 408

Victoria, Seychelles

Phone +248 4672300/317

Email: [email protected]

CC: [email protected]

[1] Vivideconomics (2015). Fisheries recovery on the Mahé Plateau, Seychelles. Report prepared for The Prince of Wales’s International Sustainability Unit and the Seychelles Fishing Authority.