Study to quantify public sector support to the fisheries sector

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND THE BLUE ECONOMY

TERMS OF REFERENCE

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT (LUMP SUM CONTRACT)

Contract Duration

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3 months

In Seychelles, public sector support is largely based on direct funding from Government or through the financial proceeds of bilateral fishing agreements. However, fisheries sector policies, programs and projects are currently predominantly funded through the EU/Seychelles Fisheries Protocols under the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and the Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCF) through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In 2014, a study based on a bio-economic model recommended that certain types of subsidies, notably fuel, could be phased out to support a transition to a sustainable artisanal fishery. This was followed by another study in 2017 to review subsidies allocated to the artisanal fisheries sector. However, this study did not quantify all public support to the fisheries sector and did not address other fishery sub-sectors.

In 2019, the Fisheries Policy of 2014 was revised and there is now intensifying efforts to better regulate the fisheries to ensure that they remain an important economic activity that will continue to contribute to food security, livelihoods and conservation of fisheries resources. It is understood that in order for this to happen several factors need to be addressed. These include, but not limited to:

• Reassessment of all subsidies in order to address subsidy dependency in this sector;

• Reinforcement of mechanism for accountability and good governance; and

• Improvement of socio-economic sustainability in resource-use and domestic developments

Public support for developing production sectors should be timely, targeted and temporary as its effect on public budgets and obligations can be significant. Too often, the type of support given is poorly coordinated with resource management policies, or even with solid plans for socio-economic development of the sector. Therefore, it is important to show the link between support given and other Government expenditure with regards to sustainable resource management and economic development strategies, especially when the aim is to strengthen the fisheries sector. The use of public finance should be based on clear evidence that real and lasting benefits for fishing communities, the industry and economy are realized and should identify the best support tools needed to achieve policy objectives.

The Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MFBE) is now recruiting a consultant to identify and quantify public sector support to the fisheries sector of Seychelles in order to inform policy direction and strategy.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) shall consist of a cover letter and Curriculum Vitae. The deadline for submission of EOI is Tuesday 8th June 2021 at 15hrs30. The submission should be clearly marked using the subject line ‘‘Public Sector Support to the Seychelles Fisheries Sector”. Interested applicants may obtain further details and a full TOR by submitting an email enquiry to Ms. Sheriffa Morel on [email protected] cc; [email protected] of SWIOFish3. The procurement process will be conducted according to the World Bank guidelines for selection and employment of consultant, Ed 2011 revised July 2014 and the services contracted through the Department of Blue Economy (SWIOFish3 Coordination on behalf of Government).

Completed EOIs should be delivered by email to:

Mr. Roy Clarisse

Principal Secretary

Department of Fisheries

Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy

Seychelles

Email: [email protected] cc: [email protected]; [email protected]