Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish3): Scientific design and analytical support for a fisheries-independent assessment of sea cucumber status

SEYCHELLES FISHING AUTHORITY

The Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) is responsible for the sustainable management of the Seychelles sea cucumber fishery. Over the years, the sea cucumber resource has been assessed to better understand the status of the stock as well as to better inform the management measures. The first fisheries independent stock assessment was carried out by SFA in collaboration with FAO, between 2004 and 2005. Two other assessments were undertaken in 2014 and 2017 using catch and effort data collected from licensed vessels logbooks. The results from all these assessments were used to inform the current management measures.

One of the recommendations of the last fisheries dependent assessment in 2017 was the need to undertake a new fisheries independent stock assessment survey to inform specification of management measures. However, one constraint identified within the SFA is the lack of technical expertise to design a fishery independent resource assessment survey for the fishery. The planning of such a survey is imminent and a major component of the survey will be capacity building to ensure the transfer of expertise and the replicability of the survey in the future. The outcomes of the survey will be used to provide recommendation towards the next steps in the development of new management measures for the sea cucumber fishery, hopefully leading to an enhanced stock recovery to a more sustainable level.

The assignment will focus on designing a statistically robust fishery independent survey, including the sampling and site selection methodology. In addition, the consultant will be responsible for undertaking the survey data analysis, interpretation of the survey results and provide research recommendations and management advice. SFA are now seeking an individual consultant to undertake this assignment.

The objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Design a statistically, robust fishery independent resource assessment survey for the Seychelles sea cucumber, including the sampling and site selection methodology, materials and tools suited for the Seychelles context, through a stakeholder participatory approach in collaboration with fisheries institutions and other relevant stakeholders
2. Support and coordinate the execution of the survey
3. Provide technical expertise to conduct the survey data analysis, interpretation and formulation of management recommendations and build capacity of SFA staff to undertake such work.

For this assignment, SFA is seeking a consultant with the following profile and specific qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or higher in marine science or related discipline
• At least 10 years of proven professional experience in the assessment of tropical marine benthic animals (particularly of holothurians) through dive surveys
• Experience in planning, implementing and survey analysis for resource assessment of benthic fisheries.
• Experience with holothurian species in tropical waters would be an added advantage
• Proven experience in formulating fisheries management recommendations and providing research advice
• Experience in undertaking capacity building
• High statistics, computer literacy and report writing skills
• Full proficiency in written and oral communication in English is a requirement

Application Process

The Seychelles Fishing Authority is now inviting Individual consultants to indicate their interest in this assignment. Expressions of Interest (EOI) shall consist of a cover letter and curriculum vitae. The deadline for submission of EOI is Thursday 15th April 2021 at 1530hrs and should be clearly marked using the Subject Line ‘‘Resource assessment of the Seychelles holothurian population”. Interested applicants may obtain further details and a full TOR by submitting an email enquiry to Meggy Tirant (meggy.tirant@gov.sc). Firms or academic institution can nominate qualified individual consultant for this assignment. The experience and qualifications of the proposed individual shall be used in the selection process and not the experience of the firm or institution. The contract can be signed with either the institution or the individual consultant. The procurement process will be conducted according to the World Bank’s procedures and using ‘Selection based on Individual Consultant procurement method.

EOIs should be delivered by email to:

Mr Nichol Elizabeth

Chief Executive Officer

Seychelles Fishing Authority

P.O. Box 449

Fishing Port

Mahe

Seychelles

Email: management@sfa.sc  cc: meggy.tirant@gov.sc