25 Funafuti fishing boat owners receive new grab bags and training from TFD

Matelina Stuart  Operations & Development  , , , , ,

Operation & Development officers of the TFD delivered sea safety grab bags to 25 Funafuti fishing boat owners, as well as conducting inspections and refresher training for grab bags on the first day, Monday 28th November. Training on fishing techniques, namely mid-water trolling, was delivered on the second day, Tuesday 29th November this week at the Nanutasi meeting hall.

These 25 fishing boat owners were nominated based on the surveys of active fishermen done by the fisheries officers.

Lealai Bataka, Assistant Fisheries Officer, urged fishermen to recognize the value of these assets to their lives and to Tuvalu as a whole. “As a result, it is essential to keep safety equipment on board every time you go fishing,” he added.

Tianamo Lusia, a Funafuti fisherman, thanked TFD for their assistance in providing these valuable assets and training. He also reminded fishermen to help any boat in distress immediately as he explained an issue faced by one of the fishermen.

More than 40 Funafuti fishermen took part in the grab bag inspection and training. Fishermen with old grab bags also took part in the training, where their grab bags were inspected, and a grab bag refresher course was given to them.

The nominated 25 fishermen, on the other hand, were trained on how to use each piece of equipment in the grab bag as well as new fishing techniques and mid-water trolling methods.

These assistance components are one of TFD’s priority activities under its Corporate Plan 2020-22, which commits to assisting artisanal fishermen, ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources, and, most importantly, improving livelihoods and fishermen’s safety at sea.

TFD Donated canoes for Fetuvalu High School, a fiber glass boat and motor engine for FOFA

Matelina Stuart  Admin  , , , , , ,

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department handed over 4 canoes to Fetuvalu High School and 1 fiberglass boat with 40 hp outboard motor to FOFA on Wednesday the 16th of November 2022.
The Director of Fisheries, Samasoni Finikaso signed off a handover form confirmation of donations with the two recipients, FOFA CEO, Ioapo Tapu and Fetuvalu High School Principal, Pati Eka. The event took place at the Fetuvalu High School and the FOFA premises. The Manager of the TFSP, Noa Petulei and the Fisheries Advisor, Mike Batty also attended the event.
The Tuvalu Fisheries Support Program Manager, Noa Petueli said, “The TFD would like to assure the public that promoting fisheries throughout the country is a high priority”.
The canoe building was initiated under an FAO project, and TFSP2 took over to make sure that the required number of canoes could be completed. TFSP2 has also funded the building of the first-ever fiberglass boat which was donated to the FOFA along with a 40hp outboard motor to support the FOFA fishing initiatives.

Closed:INVITATION FOR QUOTATION: Freezer room machinery

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Vacancies  , , ,

The TFSP2 project of the Tuvalu Fisheries Department is seeking quotations for the supply of new machinery for a cold room in the NAFICOT fish market. The equipment required is to replace the refrigeration machinery only for one 25 cubic meter freezer room in Funafuti, the main island of Tuvalu. Note that the freezer room is already on-site and installed – we only require new machinery. Details of the quotation can be downloaded here: RFQ – freezer room machinery

Your quotation should be e-mailed to michaelb@tuvalufisheries.tv  and reach the Tuvalu Fisheries Department by the close of business at 1600 hours on the 21st of November 2022. The quotation shall be valid for acceptance for 30 days from the date of submission and quoted price shall remain fixed until delivery is completed.

CLOSED: VACANCY ADVERTISEMENT: MANAUI-II CREW x 3

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  , , ,

Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries and Trade hereby announces that we are recruiting 3 crew to work and operate the Manaui II.

The 3 crews are as follows:

  1. 1x – Engineer at Level-5
  2. 1x – Assistant Engineer at Level-6
  3. 1x – Mate at Level-5

Further details and task descriptions for the above vacancies can be obtained at the office of the Fisheries Department, OR Click on the above vacancies to download them.

These positions will be on a contract basis for 3 months with the possibility to extend based on the satisfaction of their performances during the contract period.

Interested applicants should submit the following:

  • Application letter
  • Certified copies of relevant qualifications and certificates
  • Curriculum Vitae – CV

The application should be addressed to:

  • Mrs Loloma Homasi
  • Acting Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Fisheries and Trade

And to be submitted to the Ministry of Fisheries and Trade – Headquarters – HQ – First Floor, North Wing, Government Building, Vaiaku, Funafuti. No later than 4:30 pm Wednesday, 5th of August, 2022.

For further inquiries please call 20-160 or email lhomasi@gov.tv. The Terms of References are also available in the Ministry of Fisheries and Trade – HQ.

Governance Committee meeting to review progress with the Tuvalu Fisheries Support Programme Phase 2 Project (TFSP2)

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Uncategorized  , , , , , , , , , , ,

The New Zealand funded Tuvalu Fisheries Support Programme Phase 2 (TFSP2), which started in January 2021, recently held its third six-monthly Governance Committee meeting to review the project’s progress. The meeting, between senior officials of the Tuvalu Ministry of Fisheries and Trade and New Zealand’s MFAT, was held by video conference on 10th June.

The meeting noted that there has been quite good progress in a number of areas. These include:

  • Fibreglass boatbuilding – completion of the first fibreglass boat specially designed for safe operation when trolling in the open sea; and completion of ten paddling canoes under a project initiated by FAO.
  • Community fisheries officers, trained and funded by the project, have been at work in each of the 7 outer islands since the start of the year;
  • A shore-based radar system to monitor transhipment in the lagoon has been installed and is fully operational;
  • A sea wall and hard standing on the lagoon side of the Fisheries office have been completed

The programme also supports the position of Fisheries Adviser in Tuvalu and the Inshore Fisheries Adviser who has been working remotely with the Coastal section of the Fisheries Department.

While a number of activities have been delayed to restrictions on travel and supply chain problems during the COVID pandemic, the Committee agreed that project progress is satisfactory.

Director of Fisheries for the Ministry of Fisheries and Trade, Mr Samasoni Finikaso, on behalf of the Government of Tuvalu, thanked his colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for New Zealand’s continuing support to the Fisheries sector in Tuvalu. This will be particularly important in the weeks ahead as the World Bank PROP project comes to an end.

Fisheries launch first locally made fiber glass boat

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Operations & Development  , , ,

Fisheries and Trade officers gathered yesterday at noon to launch its first locally made fibreglass boat.

The program started with speeches from the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Fisheries and Trade, Hon. Minute Taupo and Fisheries Advisor, Mike Batty.  The program continued with a prayer to bless the boat by Rev. Honolulu and followed by the cutting of the ribbon by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Fisheries and Trade, Hon. Minute Taupo and his spouse Mrs Taupo. The program ended with lunch provided.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Fisheries and Trade expressed in his speech how grateful he is for the hard work of fisheries staff in achieving the goal that has been witnessed today. He added, “I really want to thank fisheries staff; it has been witnessed that we not only talk the talk, but we walk the walk”.

This first fibreglass boat was built by a team led by i-Kiribati specialist Derin Pendle, and Tuvaluan boat builder, Iumea Numia. The building of fibreglass boats is funded by the New Zealand TFSP2 project.

The fibreglass boat length is 5.8 meters with a beam of 1.8 m. The design was based on one popular with local fishers and will cater to chasing tuna schools on rough seas. The first fibreglass boat took some time to complete, as it was first necessary to build the mould. The plan is now to build four more boats, which use the same mould and should go more quickly

Fisheries Advisor, Mike Batty stated, that the TFSP will continue to support the Fisheries Department in achieving the objectives of its Corporate Plan which came up with the idea to build fibreglass boats. He added, “This is a durable material and easily repaired, and most of the Pacific Islands use fibreglass for building fishing boats”.

The Fisheries Department, TFSP and FAO will continue to collaborate to complete the building of fibreglass boats and canoes. The FAO canoe project was part of the Country’s strategy to repair the destruction caused by TC Tino.

New M2 radar scanner equipment has been set up for the Tuvalu Fisheries Department

Matelina Stuart  Admin, Oceanic  , , , , ,

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department installed its new M2 radar scanner equipment at the TFD office on the 18th of March 2022 to monitor the accessibility of the public on Funafuti island to the transhipment area.

The M2 Radar scanner equipment was set up along the ridge cap of the TFD office with the only intent to protect Tuvalu citizens from getting COVID 19. Four observers have been recruited to support ocean staff in the installation process in recent weeks. The new equipment is controlled and supervised by the Vessel Days Scheme (VDS) and Oceanic Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) officers.

VDS/VMS Senior Fisheries Officer, Scott Pelesala, stated, “The TFD now has appropriate monitoring tools in place to monitor and control the accessibility of members of the public in the vicinity.” He likewise added that on that point would be a high penalty imposed for any violation and that the department will be able to find and photograph images of an object going through the transhipment area’s buffer zone.

This new equipment was part of the Fishery’s main goal for this year’s activities due to Covid 19 mitigation measures where transhipment was moved out of the Funafuti lagoon to an assigned region endorsed by the Tuvalu Government. Working with the U.S.-based non-governmental organization Anthropocene Institute, the Department of Fisheries made an effort and agreed to use a maritime radar observer to monitor the transhipment area.

New Zealand’s Tuvalu Fisheries Support Program supported the idea by funding this new equipment, which cost over 100 thousand dollars.

M2 Radar scanner equipment was tested on the 23rd of March and now it’s up and working.

CLOSED: REREQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: Consultant to examine threats and opportunities provided by tuna transshipment in Funafuti lagoon – Re-Advertise

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  , , , , , ,

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

This consulting services (“the Services”) requires the consultant to describe the practices related to transhipment, examine the impacts both positive and negatives of the recent growth of tuna transhipment activities in the Funafuti lagoon, and develop a plan to minimize the threats and develop a plan to minimize the threats and develop the opportunities that this activity provides.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at this link: ToR for Tuvalu Transshipment study_Clean-r1

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to express interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (attach curriculum vitae with a description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, official copies of certificates and transcripts etc.). Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the nominated individual experience and qualifications will be considered in the selection process. The criteria for selecting the Consultant are:

  • Related Qualifications and Experience
  • Relevant or related experiences
  • Skills and Abilities

The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (January 2011 edition)

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with Section V of the Consultant Guidelines. Firms expressing interest and proposing the name of an individual for the assignment should take note of paragraph 5.5 of the Consultant Guidelines.

Further information can be obtained at the PROP Office, Alapi, Funafuti OR you can email proptuv@gmail.com / proptuv@tuvalufisheries.tv during office hours from 0900 to 1600 hours.

All expressions of interest must be addressed to the Director of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries & Trade, Alapi, Funafuti, Tuvalu and be delivered by e-mail to proptuv@gmail.com / prop@tuvalufisheries.tv email address no later than April 5, 2022.

Closed : Vacancy: Nui Data Collector for Tuvalu Fisheries Department

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  , , , ,

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department is inviting suitably qualified young persons of a minimum age of 18 years to fill the vacant position of Nui island Data Collector for the Tuvalu Fisheries Department.

Applicants must be physically and mentally fit and should be permanent residents of the island of Nui and/or Nukulaelae, as the selection will be island-based. The objective of the recruitment is to create a team of data collectors to collect information on fishing activities and catches on the islands of Tuvalu on behalf of the Fisheries Department.

Detailed terms of reference of the position, remuneration package and other relevant information are available for collection at the Coastal Management Unit of the Fisheries Department Office at Teone OR click here Nui OIDC TOR to download it.

All applications are required to be addressed to the Director of Fisheries, Tuvalu Fisheries Department, Teone, Funafuti before Wednesday, 4:00 pm on the 11th March 2022 by either hard copy or email to samfinikaso70@gmail.com before the closing date and time.

Application Checklist

Please ensure you attach all the following information as your application:

  • Application cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the post
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) including the following headings:
    • Name, Expertise, Nationality, Address & contacts
    • Qualifications: highest school, certificates and other
    • Languages and level of proficiency (Native, Excellent, Good, Basic)
    • Affiliations if any (e.g. membership to associations, NGOs)
    • Countries of work experience, if any
    • Employment history, including past jobs and projects
    • Names of 2-3 referees
  • Transcripts of Education, Qualifications, Certificates, etc.

 

Closed : Vacancy: Tuvalu Fisheries Support Programme 2 Project Manager

Matelina Stuart  Uncategorized, Vacancies  , , , , ,

The TFSP2 project under the Tuvalu Fisheries Department is recruiting a Project Manager who will work closely with the Fisheries Adviser and take on the management of the project over the next year or so. We are looking for a person with a University degree in a subject relevant to Fisheries and/or Project Management. Excellent communication skills in English, computer skills, knowledge of Government procedures, and experience in project planning and reporting are needed. Above all, you should have a keen interest in helping the management and development of Tuvalu’s fisheries.

This is a contract position with annual contracts for a maximum of 4 years. The starting salary is $1,050 per fortnight with a housing allowance of $1,000 per month.

You can see the full job description by clicking here job Description TFSP2 Project Manager or our Facebook page or pick up a hard copy at Reception at our office in Teone. Application letters should be sent by email to michaelb@tuvalufisheries.tv or you can deliver a hard copy to the Fisheries office. Applications close on 18th March.