Coastal Fisheries Meeting with Funafuti Fisherman Association (FFA/FTFF)

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Coastal, Operations & Development, Uncategorized  , , , , ,

The Coastal Fisheries section held a meeting with the Funafuti Fisherman Association on the 9th February 2017 Thursday in the Funafuti Lagoon Hotel conference room. The meeting was commenced at 9;15 am led by the Principal Fisheries Officer of the Coastal division.

The meeting was about sharing information with the Funafuti Fisherman Association actually about their by catches from 2013 to 2016 on the artisanal data collection, creel survey results from mid-2015 to 2016, information on Ciguatera Fish Poisoning & fish exports and a little reminder from the acting Principal officer of the Operation and Development section on sea safety, smoke fish training that to be started next week on Friday the 17th of February, 2017. The Operation & Development officer also inform the serious news to fisherman’s participating in the meeting that they will have the donation fund from the government on outboard motors spare parts which  $6000 AUD.

Fishermen also came up with some issues, on the effect of Fisheries department FADs that were deployed, cause too hard to see and find fish with these FADs, oil spill that is frequently falling out lately in the capital Funafuti, the widespread growing of the new seaweed in the lagoon and the outer reef, and the demanding for grab bags. Most of the fishermen did not receive their share due to not enough of grab bags. The meeting ends up with resolutions that help gratify each and everyone participating and sharing information in the meeting.

Closed: Request for EOI for Information and Technology Consultant (22/2/17)

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  , ,

TUVALU Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) | Fisheries Sector | CONSULTING SERVICES | Grant No: D016-TV / TF 018605 | Project ID No: P151780

Request for Expressions of Interest for an Information and Technology Consultant to improve the Tuvalu Fisheries Department Information System

The Tuvalu Government has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the PROP, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services. The services include the improving of the Tuvalu Fisheries Department (TFD) existing information system as well as designing a new IT system for its new office building with VMS requirement. He/She will also prepare technical specifications of IT equipment for the new office.

TFD now invites eligible consultants (individual) to indicate their interest in providing the above mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, and availability of appropriate skills) with their CVs.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (January 2011 edition).

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during Tuvalu office hours: 0800 to 1700 OR by email address given below.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the same address by 22 February 2017.

PROP Office

Attn: Project Coordinator

Fisheries Department

Funafuti, TUVALU

Tel: +688 20 348

E-mail: proptuv@gmail.com / proptuv@tuvalufisheries.tv

Web site: www.tuvalufisheries.tv

Download the TOR for the position here: TFD 160117 TOR IT Consultancy 220217

Fisheries old building finally demolished

Matelina Stuart  Admin

img1486471727042The Fisheries old buildings on the ocean and lagoon side of the main road through Teone have now finally been demolished. The demolition of the old building was performed in three weeks by Aaron of Timber Construction Services (TCS) from New Zealand and a few local workers. Now all the old buildings are gone and TCS is building a work area on the ocean side where they will put all the building materials while they clear and level the lagoon side land. The new Fisheries building will be built on the lagoon side of the road.

Three additional staff from TCS arrived on today’s plane. The two builders will take over from Aaron, who was responsible for the demolition. Soon there will be a selection of local workers that will be needed, as carpenters and electricians. And following that, construction will begin. The completion date of the new construction will be in September 2017, recently delayed due to a three-week shipping delay of materials.

Closed: Request for EOI to Review the Tuvalu National Fisheries Observer Program (2/1/17)

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  ,

TuvGovPacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP)

CONSULTING SERVICES | Grant No: D016-TV | Project ID No: P151780

Request for Expressions of Interest for a Consultant/Firm to Review the Tuvalu National Fisheries Observer Program

The Tuvalu Government has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the PROP, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services. The services include a review of the current management, administrative and financial arrangements of the Tuvalu National Observer Program including its Funds’ Policy  and propose recommended improvement for the way forward of the program.

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department now invites eligible consultants (individual or firms) to indicate their interest in providing the above mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. from firms and CV from individual consultants). Consultants may associate in the form of a joint venture or sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications. In case of a Joint Venture (JV), all members of the JV will be evaluated jointly for the purpose of short listing and shall be jointly and severally liable for the assignment and shall sign the contract jointly in case of award is made to that JV group. Interested consultants should clearly indicate the structure of their “association” and the duties of their partners and sub consultants in their application. Unclear expressions of interests in terms of “in association with” and / or “in affiliation with” and etc. without indicating the status of the partnership and designation of the lead partner may not be considered for short listing.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines for Selection & Employment of Consultants by World Bank borrowers (January 2011 edition).

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours: 0800 to 1700 OR emailed to proptuv@gmail.com / proptuv@tuvalufisheries.tv

Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP), Project Number: P151780, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Natural Resources, Teone, Funafuti, TUVALU.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the same address by 2 January 2017.

Terms of Reference

Background

The Tuvalu Government has received grant financing from the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility to participate in the Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP). The objective of the PROP is to strengthen the management of selected Pacific Island oceanic and coastal fisheries, and the critical habitats upon which they depend. This will provide the basis for sustainable and increased economic benefits from this resource.

The Oceanic Fisheries Section (OFS) of the Tuvalu Fisheries Department (TFD) is responsible for managing the Tuvalu National Observer Program (TNOP) which was established in 2009 and has been very successful in improving the monitoring of foreign fishing activities in Tuvalu and regionally, as well as creating employment opportunities for Tuvaluans. Since 2009, the TNOP has grown and expanded from a handful of observers to a total of 65 PIRFO certified observers, including 5 certified de-briefers. These observers are being deployed under the national observer program, while others have been placed on board fishing vessels under regional or sub-regional programs: the PNA observer program for vessels operating under the FSM Arrangement, and the FFA program for US Treaty vessels. In 2012, the TNOP was accredited as part of the Commission regional observer program (ROP) for having met all the regional standards following a performance audit of the program undertaken by the WCPFC ROP coordinator.

With funding assistance increasingly made available through New Zealand and, more recently, the PROP, the TNOP has continued to train and recruit more observers now and the future aim is to reach a target of 100 observers by year 2018, as reflected in Te Kakeega III, Tuvalu’s National Development Plan.

Although there is a general impression that the TNOP is running well, there are nevertheless a number of challenges and gaps that undermine the successful administration and management of the program. Some of these issues arise from the recent rapid growth of the TNOP, which is causing administrative/ management overload and diverting staff of the OFS away from their normal duties to assist with observer deployment and management.

Objective of the assignment

The key objective of this assignment is to address the above challenges and gaps within the Tuvalu National Observer Program. TFD therefore wishes to engage an Independent Consultant funded by the PROP, to review the overall performance of the TNOP. The review is intended to examine current management, administrative and financial arrangements of the TNOP and recommend ways to improve and streamline them.

Scope of work

The Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

  1. Examine the current management, administrative, operational, logistical, and financial procedures involved in the Tuvalu National Observer Programme;
  2. Assess the quality of observer performance and reporting procedures;
  3. Review and propose appropriate amendments to observer contracts, code of ethics, observer MOU with other countries, observer service agreement with FFA and other relevant documents
  4. Develop an Observer Operational manual and standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for managing the observer program;
  5. Develop an emergency action plan (EAP) for Tuvalu observer program in response to any distress or observer emergency, including recommendations for the application of any relevant technology;
  6. Consider and make recommendations on possible cost recovery and sustainable financing options for the observer program, including through privatization or corporatisation;
  7. Carry out a training needs analysis and make appropriate recommendations for future observer training activities;
  8. Assess oceanic fishing and governance trends in the Tuvalu EEZ and regionally that might represent increasing demand for on-board observers or new vessel monitoring or virtual observation systems. Include in the report on findings and recommendations for the way forward, potential scenarios and their implications for future TNOP operations.
  9. Study all relevant documents and other materials, hold meetings, facilitate workshops and carry out any other activities required to gather necessary information from all stakeholders;
  10. During the course of the study, provide in-house training and coaching to the National Observer Programme Coordinator and other relevant Fisheries Department staff as appropriate;

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcomes from this assignment include:

  1. Study findings on challenges and gaps on all aspects of the program;
  2. Propose improvements of the systems OR a new system;
  3. An Observer Operational Manual on standard operating procedures;
  4. An Emergency Action Plan for Tuvaluan Observers;
  5. Training needs for the program;
  6. Recommendations of the way forward for the program (privatisation or corporatisation)

Duration of the assignment

The terms of the assignment will be for three month maximum. The PROP Office will provide the consultant with a workspace if he/she needs one.

Qualification requirements and basis for evaluation (evaluation criteria)

The Consultant must have extensive knowledge and experience on: i) Observer Program Management; ii) Financial Management and Cost Recovery mechanisms; iii) strategic planning and institutional arrangement at the international, regional and national level.

The minimum qualification requirements:

Essential Qualification and Experiences
  •  Degree or relevant tertiary qualification in the area of resource management, economics, financial management, or project management;
  • At least five years’ of working experience in observer programme management, coordination, placement and debriefing;
  • Familiar with the Pacific Island Regional Fishery Observer (PIRFO) standards of training and accreditation;
  • Ability to collaborate well and to deliver work in a timely manner; and
  • Excellent computer skills; MS Office and e-mail.
  • Good oral and written English communication skills.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience:
  • Prior experience as a fisheries observer.
  • Prior experience of training fisheries observers.
  • Familiar with Pacific Islands regional, sub-regional and national fisheries management and licensing arrangements;
  • Working experience in/with regional fishery agencies and/or other fishery international organisations
  • Experience in developing observer programme policy, contract and financial management.

Reporting obligations

The Consultant is expecting to report to the Director of Fisheries any assistance he/she may need during his assignment, although he/she will be under the supervision of the Project Coordinator.

Within 15 days of the assignment completion, the consultant will submit to the Director of Fisheries a draft of the above outcomes. The Director will provide comments on these outcomes within 15 days of receipt. The consultant will finalise these documents within 10 days of receiving the Director’s feedback.

TFD will share drafts and outputs with the World Bank for comments.

Special Terms and Conditions

All of the data and information accessed in the conduct of this assignment will be maintained as strictly confidential, with all deliverables the sole property of TFD.

Closed: Vacancy Announcement: PROP Project Officer (21/10/16)

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  

Background The Government of Tuvalu has received financing from the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility to participate in the Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP). The objective of the PROP is to strengthen the management of selected Pacific Island oceanic and coastal fisheries, and the critical habitats upon which they depend. This will provide the basis for sustainable and increased economic benefits from this resource. PROP comprises of four components: (i) Sustainable management of oceanic fisheries; (ii) Sustainable management of coastal fisheries; (iii) Sustainable financing of the conservation of critical fishery habitats; and (iv) Regional Coordination, Implementation Support and Program Management. The first four countries to be part of the program include; the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands. The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has also received grant financing to provide a regional coordination role for program implementation; support to participating countries with financial management and procurement as needed; and implementation of regional activities under component three of the program. Implementation at the country level is anticipated to last approximately five further years. Other Pacific Island World Bank member countries are eligible to participate, as all share the transboundary fisheries and fish resources. The Tuvalu Fisheries Department (TFD) is the implementing agency for the PROP in Tuvalu. To support project implementation, TFD requires the services of a Project Officer (PO) to be established within the national project management team and be responsible for procurement processes, general administration, and logistical requirements of the project. The PO will based in Funafuti and will be responsible for supporting the procurement processes undertaken by TFD in collaboration with the Procurement Specialist in FFA, providing support for general administration including ensuring documentation is retained and filed and other relevant logistical tasks as required including arranging travel, workshops etc. The PO will report to the PROP National Project Coordinator. The main tasks of the PO are shown in attachment 1. Required qualifications and attributes are in attachment 2. Additional information is shown in attachment 3. Applications for this position should be sent to the Director, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Natural Resources, Private Mail Bag, Vaiaku, Funafuti, or email to jobs@tuvalufisheries.tv. Applications should include a cover letter, explaining the applicant’s reasons and motivation for applying for the post, as well as curriculum vitae which details the applicant’s education, qualifications and experience.

The closing date for applications is the close of business 21st October 2016. Applications after this time will not be considered. Please note that this position will be recruited locally. Applicants from overseas will be required to cover the cost of their own travel to Funafuti in order to take up the position.

Download full vacancy announcement with attachments: TFD WB PROP Project Officer Vacancy due 211016.

  • ATTACHMENT 1: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • ATTACHMENT 2: QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
  • ATTACHMENT 3: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Other: Key PROP Reference Documents

  • Project Documents: PROP Project Appraisal Document (PAD) and Program Operational Manual (POM)
  • Annual Planning: PROP national project budget and procurement plan; and annual work plan
  • Legal Agreements: PROP Financing and Grant Agreements between the World Bank and Tuvalu, including the Disbursement Letter and the Service Agreement between Tuvalu and FFA.
  • Environmental and Social Safeguards: PROP Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).

These and other relevant documents can be downloaded from the Tuvalu Fisheries Department web site (www.tuvalufisheries.tv).

Lecture on Gender Perspective on Women in Fisheries

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Coastal  , , , , ,
P1000711
Photo of Fisheries staffs during the lecture      Photo by ; Natalie Makhoul

Two representatives from the Tuvalu Government Gender office presented a lecture on “Gender perspective on Women in Fisheries”. The lecture was carried out by; Natalie Makhoul, the Gender Advisor and Lanuola Fasiai the senior officer.

Natalie Makhoul was first talked about gender perspective and women in fisheries while Ms Fasiai talked about the Woman’s contribution in the household life. The lecture was very informative and beneficial as it developed the knowledge of fisheries staffs on gender equality and its role in society as well as in Fisheries. Ms Makhoul also explained the principle of gender equality, the influence of family structure, religion, Government policies, politics and culture and tradition in the role of gender in the society. The main role of Gender equality it not about differentiation of women from men but about “justified discrimination” and the freedom of women to choose and access to occupations.

“Gender equality is not about equalizing men and women, the main role of gender equality is about acknowledging the different sexes, minimizing gender discrimination through accessing to opportunities, services and jobs”

Ms Fasiai she discussed in details the contribution of women in household level. There are many traditional occupations that women are capable of in Fisheries, not merely that they contribute in the physical way, but they can also give through their creative minds in community meetings, in Parliament, island debates etc., with the planning and decision making.

During the lecture fisheries staffs came up with so many questions. Questions on discrimination, bias, racism etc. Some of the questions were basically on customs and traditions in the mode of life of a Tuvaluan and this is a big issue faced by Tuvaluan People. Even though there are bylaws and public awareness raised in the country, still there is discrimination and bias in every employment sector. Gender Equality is now being introduced into all sectors of Tuvalu.

Fish Aggregate Devices (FADs) Training

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Operations & Development  , , , , , ,

image001Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are an extension of fishing gear designed to concentrate fish into a small area so that it is easier to catch them. They can be used for industrial as well as artisanal fishing. Close to the islands of Tuvalu, the Fisheries Department has been deploying FADs to assist local fishers to gain access to tunas, and minimise their travel costs (boat fuel and time). FADs also improve sea safety by reducing the need to fish far away and encouraging fishers to fish at least some of the time in a ‘known’ place.

To deploy and maintain FADs, fisheries staff and fishers need training. Master fishermen William Sokimi from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) conducted training on FADs with fisheries staff and some of the fishermen from the Funafuti Fishermen Association between 1st and 5th of August 2016. The purpose of the training was to teach fisheries staff and fishermen on how to make FADs and also how to deploy FADs through using barge boats.

At the end of the training they deployed 3 FADs, one is 1200 meters deep at the north of Funafuti, the second FAD was deployed outside of Mateika (Funafuti Islet) which is 1100 meters deep and the last one was deployed in the lagoon which is 40+ meters deep.

2016 Observers Recruited

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Oceanic

Observers are trained officers placed on fishing vessels in the dual role of data collectors and reporters on compliance issues. Tuvalu’s Observer Programme is an important part of the social and economic role of fisheries in Tuvalu, implementing the provisions of the Marine Resources Act and other legislation, and meeting our international obligations with regard to managing the region’s shared tuna resources. Observers are part of our fishery licensing, data collection and monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems for vessels fishing in Tuvalu waters. They are an important part of ensuring compliance with licence conditions, and in deterring, detecting and penalising illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.

With 20 new observers were recruited this year, Tuvalu now has 68 trained observers who can be deployed on licensed vessels. Seventeen of the new observers were trained by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) trainer, Siosifa Fukofuka, Manoi Kutan and Glen English. The remaining 3 were trained in Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. One of these 20 recruits was a young woman and this was the first woman in Tuvalu to be an observer.

The training took 5 weeks, with tests given on many days during that time. The students then went on to do sea safety training for 2 weeks at the Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute (TMTI).

Recruiting observers is another way of helping Tuvaluan citizens, and particularly school leavers, to obtain jobs in order to support their families and their country.

First Metronome Trip to the Northern Outer Islands

Matelina Stuart  Coastal, Operations & Development  , ,

DSC02004A team from the Fisheries Department Operations & Development (O&D) and Coastal Fisheries (CF) Sections, and NAPA II officers, teamed up between 18th June and 11th July to go on their first ‘metronome’ trip to the northern outer islands to commence the Fisheries Department and the NAPA II targeted work plans for 2016. A metronome trip is one of 3-4 scheduled trips to be carried out each year. The trips are scheduled well in advance so that all concerned can plan their work programmes properly. They are designed to be the ‘heartbeat’ of the outer islands work in Tuvalu, ensuring that there is a mechanism for regularly carrying out fishery and socio-economic surveys, consultations and repair-work on FADs at least once on each island each year. The team consisted of 10 fisheries staff, 2 NAPA II officers and 3 officers from the Public Works Department.

The target audience of the trip was the community, especially the Kaupules and fishermen of each island. The team trained island participants on sea safety, new fishing techniques, the using of fishing gears and the use of ‘grab bags’ which contain small-boat safety equipment. Sixteen grab bags were distributed to fishers on each island, 10 of which were supplied by the NAPA II project and 6 by the cyclone Pam disaster relief fund from New Zealand. The team was also involved with the checking of FADs – changing of old ropes to new ones, tying coconut leaves around the ropes, and surveying the atolls for potential new FAD sites. A survey of the location and siting of a new Community Fishing Centre (CFC) building was carried out by the O&D team. The team from O&D trained participants from each island on how to patch aluminium boats as well as training their fisheries mechanic on how to weld, and how to maintain outboard motors. Each of the outer islands was donated one aluminium welding machines, again funded by New Zealand.

The Coastal and NAPA II team also dealt with socio economic surveys, introduction and collaboration with the outer island people on creel survey, collating information on ciguatera/fish poisoning and collect information for island profiles. The squad came back safely to Funafuti after accomplishing their assign tasks.

Revival of the Creel Survey

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Coastal

DSC01963In mid-August last year, the Coastal team from the Tuvalu Fisheries department decided to revive the Creel Survey. A creel survey is where we check to see what each fisherman has caught when he comes back from fishing and weigh and measure the different species in the catch. We then relate that information to details of the costs of fishing. ‘Creel’ is an old Irish word for a fisherman’s basket.

Lately, during this year 2016, the Coastal Section of the Fisheries Department has really started to engage with the creel survey. This creel survey was first started last year but did not get going strongly till this year. Actually, the creel survey is focused in Funafuti the capital, but also run on outer islands during expeditions there. The creel team consists of 5 staff that were chosen from the coastal section to run the creel survey. This creel team wakes early twice a week (5am) to read the entire fisherman catches at their fish landings, and to record the fish sizes, weight and species along with other information. This year is a new beginning for the creel team through the support and encouragement of the new Inshore Fisheries Advisor. Due to her support the creel team has been boosted to get on course with the creel survey. According to the coastal senior officer, Moeo Ron says

“This creel survey will be ongoing into the few years with possibilities to be a major component/task to be managed by the Coastal department”.

This creel survey is beneficial not only for each household in Funafuti but as well as the whole of Tuvalu. The data collected through the survey will help the Department to protect Funafuti’s marine biodiversity and sustain food security, prevent overfishing, protect undersized fish and, combined with other data we are collecting reduce ciguatera /fish poisoning in Tuvalu.