10 new recruited observer qualified as eyes & ears of Tuvalu

Matelina Stuart  Oceanic  , , , , , , , ,

TVNOP PICS10 newly recruited observers now qualified to work as the eyes and ears of Tuvalu in our oceanic fishery. There were 9 gentlemen and one young lady. The training was held in the Fisheries Department office over five weeks with a break for Christmas. It started on the 7th of December 2020.

The training was facilitated by Manoi Kutan, certified observer trainer, and three trainee trainers, Alipele Etoma, Gagati Falaima and Vaelei Failautusi.

The recruiting and training of new observer in response to the need to retain the number of observers within the Tuvalu National Observer Programme TVNOP at around 80. These 10 new observers will replace a few that have left the Tuvalu Observer Programme.

These 10 new observers were trained on how to record and to understand the information that needs to be collected according to each fishing gear type whether onboard a purse seiner or longline vessels.

Manoi Kutan, certified observer trainer said, “observer work is for both men and women, so whenever there is recruitment, girls are encouraged to apply. This training there was only one girl selected in the pre-course test and she successfully passed the course”.

The impact of Covid-19 is the reason the placement of observers is currently suspended in the whole region. The suspension may end as soon as the 15th February, but the re-starting of the observer programme is subject to approval by the members of regional secretariats, WCPFC, FFA, PNA as well as the Tuvalu Government.

This training was delivered to the Pacific Regional Fisheries Observer PIRFO training standard and these observers will be certified as PIRFO Observers. The training was funded by the Pacific Regional Ocean-scape Programme PROP.

Closed: Request for Quotations: Consultancy on New Technology for Fisheries Surveillance

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  , , ,

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department (TFD), implementing New Zealand funded Tuvalu Fisheries Support Programme Phase 2 (TFSP), is seeking quotations from suitably qualified and experienced consultants to advise on the acquisition of new technology to strengthen fisheries surveillance. Details are provided in the attached Terms of Reference TOR at http://www.tuvalufisheries.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Terms-of-Reference-for-Technical-Assistance.pdf

Timing and delivery

It is expected that inputs of around 20 working days will be required, in two stages: (i) initial assessment of requirements, recommendations, and draft tender documents; and (ii) assistance with technical and financial evaluation of the tenders. The consultancy will start as soon as possible after this selection process, and consultants should confirm their availability. All work will be carried out remotely, working from home, but there will be regular Zoom meetings with relevant staff of the TFD and the Fisheries Adviser.


Requirements (qualifications and experience)

Proposals will be assessed against the following criteria by the senior management committee of the TFD:

  • Relevant qualifications and experience for providing advice and recommendations on a wide range of monitoring, control, and surveillance technologies;
  • Experience of developing, and implementing where appropriate, regional and/or national fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance systems, especially to meet the needs and capacity limitations of small island developing states (preferably in the Pacific Islands);
  • Experience of preparing technical specifications for monitoring, control, and surveillance systems and evaluating bids, resulting in successful procurement;
  • Value for money.


Submission of proposals

Interested consultants should submit the following information in support of their proposal:

a) Confirmation of the dates on which they will be available;

b) A brief proposal addressing the requirements listed above and an outline of the methodology they will use to approach the assignment;

c) A brief curriculum vitae of the consultant or consultants;

d) A cost estimate providing fees (daily rate and total) and any incidental costs. A lump-sum contract in Australian Dollars, with payment based on deliverables, is preferred.

Proposals should be sent by email to michaelb@tuvalufisheries.tv and should reach him by 5.00 p.m. local time (in Tuvalu) on Friday 12th February 2021. Any questions on the proposed consultancy can be sent to the same email address and will be answered within 3 working days.
This request for proposals should not be construed as an offer to any consultant contacted. TFD reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate with any bidder if the original proposal is not acceptable.

Closed:Expressions of interest : National Consultant- Operation & Development

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.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include overseeing the effective implementation of the Operation and Development Section of the Tuvalu Fisheries Department, manage and coordinate the operations of the Manaui and Tala Moana vessels, provide accurate information, analysis and advice on fisheries operations issues, provide oversight and inputs in training development of the section and other activities. The consultant is expected to work outside hours if the need arises. The position is expected to be filled by the end of the month.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be downloaded here: http://www.tuvalufisheries.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/National-Consultant-Operation-and-Development-TOR-3.pdf

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their 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 a situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process. The criteria for selecting the Consultant are:

· Qualifications

· Relevant 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 from the PROP Office, Department of Fisheries, Alapi, Funafuti  OR email to:

proptuv@gmail.com / proptuv@tuvalufisheries.tv  during office hours from 0900 to 1600 hours.

Expressions of interest must be addressed to Director of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries & Trade,  Teone, Funafuti and be delivered in a written form to the same address (in person, or by e-mail) before/by January 22, 2021.

New Fisheries Project Agreed with New Zealand

Matelina Stuart  Admin  , , , , ,

IMG_0260The acting Secretary for Fisheries and Trade, Falasese Tupau, today signed a Grant Funding Agreement with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT) for a major new project – the Tuvalu Fisheries Support Programme Phase 2 (TFSP 2).

Under the project, NZ MFAT is providing funding to the Government of Tuvalu’s Fisheries Department to support activities that align with their corporate plan for 2020-22. They will provide just over NZD $3.4 million of direct support during the next five years, as well as technical assistance which is paid separately.

The goal of this work is to ensure that Tuvalu derives increased economic and food security benefits from sustainable fisheries that enables its people to lead happy, healthy, productive lives. The expected outcomes include:

o Increased benefits from oceanic fisheries due to sustainable management;

o Improved understanding and commitment to the sustainable management of coastal fisheries;

o An improved enabling environment for fisheries development through investment in the Tuvalu Fisheries Department.

The project builds on a successful first phase of TFSP, as well as New Zealand’s investment in regional fisheries organisations FFA and SPC.

“It is great news that the Project has been agreed before the end of the year. Project activities can now start early in 2021” said Acting Director of Fisheries Tala Simeti. The project will be implemented by the Senior Management Team of the Fisheries Department.

Closed: Expressions of Interest: Tuvalu Translator

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  , ,

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department is seeking an eligible Tuvaluan citizen to indicate his/her interest in undertaking the service of translating the English version of information materials on seafood handling into Tuvalu version.

The document is five 2-page leaflets (including pictures), a total of 2,770 words.

The successful applicant should be fluent in both languages, have some knowledge of terms used in Fisheries, and be able to translate accurately into the Tuvaluan language. He or she will need to have the use of a computer and will provide the translation as a Word document.

Applications by interested persons will be closed on Wednesday, December 9th, 2020. Applicants should provide a short letter or email in English explaining why they are suitable for the job, and a price for carrying out the work in Australian Dollars

If you have any questions, and to submit your application, please contact Tuvalu Fisheries Department Office, Teone, Funafuti at phone number: 20343, email: matelinas@tuvalufisheries.tv and copied to michaelb@tuvalufisheries.tv

Expressions of interest: Boatbuilding Trainees for Tuvalu Fisheries Department

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  , , ,

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department is recruiting six trainees to work on a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) boat building project here on Funafuti Island.

Successful applicants will work on a project building more than 50 paddling canoes and will learn how to read boat plans and use power tools and modern materials for wooden boat building. Further training in building fibreglass boats may also be provided.

Successful applicants should be available 5 days per week from January to May 2021. There are no wages, but they will be paid a training allowance of $20 AUSD per day.

Applicants must be physically and mentally fit, have basic carpentry skills, and be willing to work and keen to learn.

There will be a short carpentry test to select the best applicants. Male and female are both welcome to apply.

To register your interest OR if you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact Vitolia Famasino at Tuvalu Fisheries Department, Teone Funafuti OR email her at, sulueli@gmail.com OR you can reach her at the telephone number, 20 343 during working hours only.

CLOSED: REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: Consultancy for the Design, Drawings, Cost Estimation and Supervision of new buildings for the Tuvalu Fisheries Department

Matelina Stuart  Vacancies  , , ,

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

The consulting services (“the Services”) include the designing, drawing, cost estimating and supervision of the Tuvalu Fisheries Department – Training Centre and Boatshed with Storeroom to be completed within a year and a half. The consultancy is expected to start as soon as possible.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be downloaded here: http://www.tuvalufisheries.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/TOR.pdf

OR can be obtained from the PROP Office, Fisheries Department, Alapi, Funafuti OR you can email to proptuv@gmail.com / proptuv@tuvalufisheries.tv

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers [insert date of applicable Guidelines edition as per financing agreement] (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

The best-qualified firm to carry out the services will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based On Consultant’s Qualifications (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines, and based on the following criteria:

1. Required qualifications and experience of the firm;

2. Relevant experience on the assignment requirements justified by the number of completed and successful projects within time;

3. Mandatory requirement outlined in the TOR section 8.

Further information can be obtained at the address above during office hours 0800 to 1600 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form  (in person, or by email) before the close of business on November 23, 2020. All expression of interest must address to Director of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Trade, Teone, Funafuti or by e-mail: proptuv@gmail.com OR proptuv@tuvalufisheries.tv).

Late expressions will not be considered.

Please note that ONLY those shortlisted will be contacted.

Tuvalu Observers boost their knowledge in electronic reporting

Matelina Stuart  Oceanic  , , , , , ,

DSC_0005 - Copy (4)Over 30 Tuvalu observers were trained in electronic-reporting (e-reporting) utilizing the iFIMS Observer app on tablets last week. Herman Kisokau, a staff member of the iFIMS Inc. from PNG, led the zoom training. The zoom session lasted the full week.

Currently, Tuvalu observers use paper worksheets to gather their data while onboard at work. Their reports can run into hundreds of pages, and it can be difficult to get new workbooks when onboard for a long trip. A tablet can store thousands of pages of data, and these can be downloaded into a database without being scanned and re-typed by office staff.

In response to COVID-19 and containment, which has seen all observers stay onshore, the Tuvalu Department of Fisheries is taking advantage of the opportunity to train observers who have not been trained in this area. This will upgrade their knowledge of how to use this new technology to collect data, instead of utilizing the work book.

Gagati Falaima, Acting Fisheries Observer Coordinator, said: “Once these observers have learned how to use this new app with tablets, they will travel three or four times on their next trip. Any data they collect will be saved on those tablets and used instead of having a workbook.”

This is a great opportunity for Tuvalu observers as they are all present and in the country. These e-reports will enhance their work with this cutting-edge technology, saving paper and time. Observers under the PNA program who use e-reporting will also be paid a small bonus.

Safe fishing and crew employment workshop: Recruitment of Tuvalu sea farer on Tuvalu-flagged seine vessels

Matelina Stuart  Admin  , , , , , , ,

IMG_0074Participants of the Office of the Attorney General, Marine Police, Tuvalu Maritime Training Institution TMTI, the Ministry of Labour, Fishing Vessel Agents, Crewing Agents and the Tuvalu Seafarers’ Union (TOSU) with TFD staff held a workshop on safe fishing and crew employment last week on Wednesday.

The workshop focused on the employment of crew on fishing vessels. This is a significant opportunity for Tuvaluans, as jobs in merchant shipping have been slumping recently. However, fishing vessels can be a dangerous and low-paid working environment and the importance of this workshop is to ensure that any jobs are worthwhile and safe.

Staff from the Fish Safety Foundation of the New Zealand (an NGO) were expected to come to Tuvalu and present the workshop materials on safe legal fishing. Because of COVID-19, it was not possible and the Department of Fisheries was asked to organize the workshop.

The workshop was moderated by TFD staff Mike Batty, Fisheries Adviser and Isala Tito Isala, Fisheries Legal Adviser. They combined Fish Safety Foundation materials with an update on national crewing policies and regulations.

The government is committed to promoting work opportunities on fishing vessels. New provisions for Tuvalu-flagged purse seine vessels will create 30 jobs for Tuvaluan crew in 2021. There are new incentives for foreign flag purse seiners to hire Tuvaluans; and there are also pilot schemes in Australia and New Zealand. The new policy and regulation lay down the conditions for employment to ensure that crew are paid a reasonable wage and are properly cared for by the employer.

Mike Batty, Fisheries Adviser, said, “The workshop went well with good discussion on the merits of Tuvalu joining a number of international agreements on standards for fishing crew. There was a lot of interest in the opportunities for employment, but it is good that we approach these from a starting point of ensuring safe and worthwhile jobs”.

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department would like to thank the Fish Safety Foundation for meeting the costs of lunch and refreshments for the workshop, as well as providing very useful information and materials for the presentations.

Tuvalu Fisheries goes further with National Observer Programme train the trainer.

Matelina Stuart  Oceanic  , , , , ,

IMG_0039Tuvalu Technical Adviser on the Observer Programme, Manoi Kutan and Gagati Falaima, Acting Coordinator of Observers, have been working to strengthen the National Observer Programme through a train the trainer programme with lead assessors. The introduction to the training was held last week.

The National Observer Program in Tuvalu TVNOP has over 70 observers but does not have national observer trainers to provide training for observers in the country. Therefore, these trainee trainers have been identified to learn how to carry out this training. The program provides one-time training only.

The course of study is an innovation in that it combines the University of the South Pacific Certificate IV in training and evaluation with the certified Pacific Islands Regional Fisheries Observer Trainer training.

Manoi Kutan, Tuvalu Fisheries Technical Advisor for Observers, said: “The training will make it possible for candidates to continue their training by participating in sub-regional training for certified trainers. They will require six attachments (on-the-job-training) as required under PIRFO Trainer certification requirement before they can be certified as PRIRFO trainers.”

This train-the-trainer programme is one of the professional paths of the observer programme. When qualified, these trainers will also be able to train other Pacific Islanders in other countries.