Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) ( - Тендер #61600567)

NOTICE AT-A-GLANCE

• Project ID

P171833

• Project Title

Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC)

• Country

Caribbean

• Notice No

OP00339658

• Notice Type

Request for Expression of Interest

• Notice Status

Published

• Borrower Bid Reference

LC-OECS COMMISSION-465352-CS-CQS

• Procurement Method

Consultant Qualification Selection

• Language of Notice

English

• Submission Deadline Date/Time

Feb 20, 2025 23:45

• Published Date

Feb 14, 2025

• CONTACT INFORMATION
• Organization/Department

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission

• Name

Chamberlain Emmanuel

• Address

P.O. Box 179 Morne Fortune Castries Saint Lucia

• City

• Province/State

Caribbean

• Postal Code

• Country

Caribbean

• Phone

758-455 6387

• Email

cemmanuel@oecs.org

• Website

ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project

Grant No.: IDA – E0200

Assignment Title: Consulting Services to Develop a Regional Strategy to Reduce, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has received funding from the World Bank toward the cost of the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Consulting Services to Develop a Regional Strategy to Reduce, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.

The consulting services (“the Services”) has the responsibility to: (i) carry out stock taking and gap analyses of policy, institutional and governance frameworks, and national capacity to combat IUU Fishing, (ii) draft an OECS Regional Strategy to combat IUU Fishing, and (iii) prepare costed sequenced actions at national and regional levels to effectively implement the strategy in the short term (5 years). The assignment is expected to be undertaken for a period of thirteen (13) months.

The OECS 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 minimum required qualifications and experience are listed in section 8 of the Terms of Reference (TOR) below. The details of the services required are available in the TOR which is available on the official website: www.oecs.org or can be obtained at the address given below.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.13, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Fourth Edition, September 2023 (‘Procurement Regulations’), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

To obtain the maximum degree of comparison among Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and facilitate the evaluation process, the EOI should be a maximum of 30 pages and include the following information included below:

• Title page with name of firm submitting the EOI: should contain name of firm (or joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy, if applicable), address, email, telephone, name of contact person and date of submission.
• Expression of Interest: including the firm’s general and specific experience, pool of experts etc.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualifications-based Selection Method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (0830 to 1600 hours).

For more information or to submit Expressions of Interest, please contact:

Jossie Stephenson

Procurement Officer

OECS Commission Morne Fortuné

P.O. Box 1383

Castries

Saint Lucia

Telephone: 758-452-5895

Email: procurementbids@oecs.int

Copied to:

Ms. Susanna De Beauville-Scott, susanna.dscott@oecs.int

An electronic copy of Expressions of Interest are to reach the OECS Commission by February 20, 2025 addressed to:

Ms. Jossie Stephenson, Procurement Officer

At the following email address:

procurementbids@oecs.int

copied to susanna.dscott@oecs.int

The email submissions should include the name and address of the Consultant and shall be clearly marked in the subject line as “Expression of Interest – Consulting Services to Develop a Regional Strategy to Reduce, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing”.

The Terms of Reference for this consultancy is provided below.

Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC)

Terms of Reference

Consulting Services to develop a regional strategy to reduce Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing

January 2025

• BACKGROUND

The OECS marine and coastal assets offer a unique opportunity for strengthening the region’s blue economy and recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through increased growth, jobs, and inclusion. The OECS marine ecosystems (coral reefs, mangroves, sea grasses, sandy beaches, and rocky shores) provide a wide array of goods and services (seafood, tourism, coastal protection, and climate resilience from reefs and mangroves, and GHG sequestration). These have long been undermined by unsustainable anthropogenic practices, including poorly planned coastal development, climate change, and ineffective management of marine resources. The economic impact of COVID-19 in the Eastern Caribbean has underscored the importance of building back safer, more sustainable and climate-resilient tourism, fisheries, and waste management sectors.

The Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC[1]) Series of Projects (SOP) supports the achievement of the above objectives by helping to develop a sustainable blue economy at national and regional levels. UBEC regional activities are designed to help harmonize regulations and strengthen cooperation among OECS Members.

The OECS Commission plays a strategic role in strengthening regional integration across the Eastern Caribbean region. The regional approach is essential to address potential transboundary threats; ensure that national management efforts are not undermined by other countries’ efforts; facilitate development of sustainable, safe, and nutritious seafood; foster a prosperous and equitable tourism industry; and promote efficient and reliable waste management regionally. These objectives are particularly important for maintaining food security and livelihoods across the region. A priority area for investment under UBEC is the development of a regional strategy to combat IUU fishing and a clear plan for its implementation, alongside supportive national strategies and plans.

• CONTEXT FOR AN OECS REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING.

Over the last decade, international awareness has grown about the negative impacts of IUU fishing. IUU fishing has contributed significantly to the depletion of fish stocks all over the world. It remains one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems due to its potent ability to undermine national and regional efforts to manage fisheries sustainably as well as endeavors to conserve marine biodiversity. Furthermore, IUU fishing can be associated with transnational organized crimes such as tax evasion, money laundering, smuggling of wildlife, drugs and weapons, as well as violations of labor laws and human rights.

The ecological, economic and social harm caused by IUU fishing is reflected in the Sustainable Development Goal 14 target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics.”

The fishery resources of the Eastern Caribbean Atlantic Ocean region have enormous potential to provide food security and livelihoods to Caribbean communities through harvesting, processing and exporting seafood products. And it is well-documented that OECS countries heavily depend on a viable fisheries sector to safeguard its food, economic, and environmental security. However, across the Caribbean region, IUU fishing has contributed significantly to the depletion of fish stocks. IUU fishing distorts competition and places legitimate fishers within the OECS Member States at an unfair disadvantage; negatively impacting their wellbeing.

In 2019, Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Limited and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime established an IUU Fishing Risk Index as a way of benchmarking and ranking countries based on their vulnerability to, prevalence of and response to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In 2023, six members of the OECS ranked 135th, 113rd, 43rd, 91st, 59th, and 82nd out of the 152 countries benchmarked[2] suggesting that there is significant scope for improvements across the board in the OECS region.

International and regional cooperation is key to effectively combat IUU fishing. While enforcement is a national task, the secure sharing of information and the coordination of activities, particularly on the regional level, are essential to take action against IUU fishing operators. UNCLOS requires States to cooperate in the conservation and management of shared stocks and highly migratory species. The UN Fish Stocks Agreement elaborates on how such cooperation can occur in respect of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fishing stocks and the FAO Port State Measures Agreement set a framework for international and regional cooperation in the context of combatting IUU fishing. IUU fishing while difficult to quantify is estimated to result in an annual loss of 10 billion dollars to the global economy.

To implement relevant international instruments and facilitate secure effective information sharing and concrete coordination of actions, a number of initiatives have been set up at international and regional levels. In 2018/2019, the Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC), with the support of FAO, developed a Regional Plan of Action (RPOA-IUU) Fishing[3]. This RPOA-IUU aims to combat IUU fishing in the WECAFC area of competence through effective regional cooperation among the WECAFC Member States and other subregional organizations such as Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Organization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of the Central American Isthmus (OSPESCA). In 2022, the CRFM Ministerial Council in partnership with other organs of the CRFM and its Member States, met to address the growing threat of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing. This Ministerial Meeting provided a forum for the Member States to renew their commitment and collaboration and more specifically, to take action to strengthen regional and international cooperation at the political and technical levels to combat and eradicate IUU fishing and transnational organized crime in the fisheries sector in the region. In this regard, twelve Members States of the CRFM endorsed and signed the International Declaration on Transnational Organized Crime in the Global Fishing Industry (also known as the ‘Copenhagen Declaration’).[4]

Other relevant international instruments to combat IUU fishing include: the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing (IPOA-IUU); the 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA), the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Flag State Performance (VGFSP), the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Catch Documentation Schemes, the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication, the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear, the International Plans of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-SHARKS), Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA-Seabirds), and Management of Fishing Capacity (IPOA-Capacity).

Elements of IUU Fishing

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a broad term that captures a wide variety of fishing activity. IUU fishing is found in all types and dimensions of fisheries; it occurs both on the high seas and in areas within national jurisdiction. It concerns all aspects and stages of the capture and utilization of fish, and may sometimes be associated with organized crime. The International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU Fishing) references a broad range of activities often referred to as IUU Fishing and includes:

Illegal fishing:

• conducted by national or foreign vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of a State, without the permission of that State, or in contravention of its laws and regulations;
• conducted by vessels flying the flag of States that are parties to a relevant regional fisheries management organization but operate in contravention of the conservation and management measures adopted by that organization and by which the States are bound, or relevant provisions of the applicable international law; or
• in violation of national laws or international obligations, including those undertaken by cooperating States to a relevant regional fisheries management organization.

Unreported fishing:

• which have not been reported, or have been misreported, to the relevant national authority, in contravention of national laws and regulations; or
• are undertaken in the area of competence of a relevant regional fisheries management organization which have not been reported or have been misreported, in contravention of the reporting procedures of that organization.

Unregulated fishing:

• in the area of application of a relevant regional fisheries management organization that are conducted by vessels without nationality, or by those flying the flag of a State not party to that organization, or by a fishing entity, in a manner that is not consistent with or contravenes the conservation and management measures of that organization; or
• in areas or for fish stocks in relation to which there are no applicable conservation or management measures and where such fishing activities are conducted in a manner inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law.
• THE ASSIGNMENT

The objectives of this assignment are to: (i) carry out stock taking and gap analyses of policy, institutional and governance frameworks, and national capacity to combat IUU Fishing, (ii) draft an OECS Regional Strategy to combat IUU Fishing, and (iii) prepare costed sequenced actions at national and regional levels to effectively implement the strategy in the short term (5 years).

• GEOGRAPHICAL AREA TO BE COVERED

The scope of the assignment should cover all OECS Member States with particular focus on UBEC countries with focus on Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

• SCOPE OF SERVICES

The scope of services will include engagement of stakeholders across the fisheries sector in the OECS countries, as well as engaging with regional and international agencies such as CRFM, ICCAT and FAO to ensure national as well as regional coordination and to reduce the risk of duplication of effort. Work modalities associated with this assignment will include:

• Home based review and analytics;
• Review of international obligations, declarations such as the PSMA and agreements related to IUU fishing. Also review of the RPOA and any existing NPOA (FAO and CRFM);
• Inception meetings and workshops;
• Consultations with OECS Commission, and national stakeholders;
• Audit of OECS Member capacity to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU Fishing;
• Gap analysis of policy and legislation and identification of opportunities to harmonize legislative and regulatory frameworks related to IUU Fishing within the OECS;
• Visits to national agencies and cooperating partners tasked with combating IUU Fishing;
• Site visits to national MCS infrastructure to take stock and evaluate existing “fit for purpose” MCS assets, systems and tools to develop an inventory of MCS tools and opportunities for their enhancement;
• Assessment of existing HR capacity to effectively combat IUU Fishing and the utilization of new tools, systems and infrastructure;
• Development of terms of reference for national level follow on work;
• Costing and sequencing of activities to combat IUU Fishing and the time frames for procurement / implementation;
• Presentation of findings to government and other stakeholders;
• Preparation of technical reports (including Strategic options for OECS MCS both Nationally and Regionally).

The consultancy will be carried out by a Firm.

• ACTIVITIES & DELIVERABLES

Under the overall supervision of the OECS Head of Environmental Sustainability Division, the administrative supervision of the OECS UBEC Project Manager, the technical supervision of the UBEC OECS Technical Specialist in Agriculture, and in close collaboration with OECS designated national partners, the consultant will complete a series of activities to achieve the following:

Activity 1 – Project Inception

Sub-activity: Preparation (Home based)

The consultant will undertake a literature review of relevant reports, studies, guidelines, protocols, international and regional agreements, declarations and other similar information on IUU Fishing in the region of relevance to OECS member States. The consultant will also review the documents made available by OECS Commission and national governments and which can inform the development of the design of a Regional Strategy for Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (RS-IUU FISHING). The consultant will contact OECS Commission to discuss the scope of work to be carried out during the consultancy and seek clarifications on issues to be addressed during the inception meeting.

Sub-activity: Inception Meeting (Virtual Home based)

The consultant will arrange and convene an inception meeting with the OECS Commission and OECS designated national counterparts to discuss the scope of work to be carried out and to obtain information on key issues to be considered in the assignment including but not restricted to:

• Duration, scope of work and site visits;
• Coordination with key national, regional and international agencies / organizations;
• Definition and scope of IUU Fishing categories to be addressed;
• Access to and availability of relevant documents at national and regional levels;
• Identification of fisheries and seafood products of significant interest in each country and across the OECS region;
• The scope of the IUU Fishing audit;
• Stocktaking of international and regional agreements, declarations related to IUU Fishing;
• Stocktaking of national and regional MCS measures / tools / infrastructure;
• National and regional IUU Fishing gap analyses;
• National and regional capacity to effectively combat IUU Fishing;
• Elements of an OECS Regional IUU Fishing Strategy with a 10-15 year vision and supportive national strategies and plans;
• Costing of activities under the OECS Regional IUU Fishing Strategy;
• Action Plan Development with priority costed sequenced national and regional actions for the next 5 years.

The inception mission will also be used to: (i) confirm the Consultant’s programme of work, (ii) agree on the OECS Member States that will be visited, (iii) agree work schedules and timing of in country visits, (iv) agree allocation of time for desk reviews and stakeholder consultations, (v) confirm with the OECS Commission, the names of persons who will act as regional and national counterparts to facilitate collection of information, presentation of results and to support backstopping activities, (vi) address “on the job” training and involvement of OECS and Member State personnel in the assignment, (vii) seek clarification on any new issues pertinent to the assignment, and (viii) discuss any matter that requires decision-making by OECS prior to commencement of any field visits.

Deliverable 1. An agreed Inception workshop report, assignment work plan and schedule of all activities, including field visits

Activity 2 – Assessment of priority fisheries in OECS Member States

The consultant will complete an assessment of fisheries and associated value chains proposed by OECS Member States based on social, economic and other factors of relevance including the potential for IUU Fishing to occur. The activity will include:

• Dimensioning selected fisheries value chains (vessels, fishers, species, production, catch value, areas of operation etc.); scientific advice on the condition of fishery resources (where available) including, lobster, conch, tuna and associated species; and potential weak points for IUU fishing to occur;
• Summarize roles and responsibilities of divisions, agencies and ministries with responsibilities associated to combat IUU Fishing (organizational frameworks) and inter agency cooperation mechanisms;
• Consult with Fisheries Management Authorities, regional organizations and other relevant bodies to build a knowledge base on the condition of key fishery resources and the need for monitoring, control and surveillance related interventions;
• Review current methods and arrangements for timely collection, analysis, reporting and dissemination of data and information relating to fish landings and report on any weaknesses and the potential impacts of inadequate monitoring of catches on the status of fishery resources;
• Conduct a rapid assessment of key fisheries stakeholders in each country and compile perceptions regarding the nature and extent of IUU fishing in coastal, offshore and high sea fisheries, the causes of IUU Fishing and mitigation measures;
• Conduct a review and assessment of the methods by which fisheries products are harvested, handled and traded, and routes through which IUU fish may enter legal markets. Make recommendations for cost effective strategies and mechanisms to address identified deficiencies.
• Validate the findings through discussions with national counterparts.

Deliverable 2. A report describing selected fisheries of the OECS Member States, the characteristics of fisheries, and the nature and type of IUU Fishing that may arise and how such risks may be mitigated.

Activity 3 – Compliance with International instruments and the status of intelligence gathering and secure information sharing

• A review of international and regional fisheries instruments of relevance to IUU Fishing, the status of OECS member country ratification, accession, and progress towards effective implementation;
• A review of Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) of RFMO/As that are of relevance to IUU Fishing and the degree of OECS Member States compliance. Make recommendations on actions required for OECS Members States to be in compliance with CMMs;
• Review current practices for intelligence gathering and secure information sharing on IUU Fishing threats and make recommendations on how these can be improved;
• Review and synthesize ongoing / planned activities across the broader Caribbean and make recommendations to strengthen OECS member country capacity to combat IUU Fishing including through, inter alia: programs, plans of action and training carried out by FAO, WECAFC, CRFM, EU/EC in the Caribbean region.

Deliverable 3. A synthesis report of regional and international work across the broader Caribbean to combat IUU fishing with situational analysis of OECS member States and clear recommendations for action.

Activity 4 – Grenada National level Work

National Level Audit

The consultant will complete national level audits on IUU Fishing in OECS waters and provide recommendations on actions to be taken to strengthen national and regional capacities to combat IUU Fishing. The work will include:

• Review the methodology used to derive Coastal, Port and Flag State scores by OECS member countries in the IUU global fishing index and provide recommendations on ways to improve country performance;
• Stocktaking and gap analysis of policy and governance frameworks in each country;
• Review of ongoing and planned national activities to combat IUU Fishing;
• Assessment of international fisheries instruments that each country has ratified or acceded to; progress reports on their effective implementation; and recommendations for further work;
• Identification of RFMO/As to which each country is a contracting party; assessment of country standing regarding implementation of Conservation and Management Measures and reporting obligations; and recommendations for further work;
• Review of the country’s cooperating status in the fight against IUU fishing including country good standing with Market States and flag any issues that need to be addressed to maintain good standing;
• Review of terms and conditions of fisheries licenses for domestic fisheries and whether such terms and conditions are adequate for monitoring and compliance purposes;
• Review of fisheries registries, foreign fishing agreements and high seas fishing arrangements and compliance with national and international law; provide recommendations where appropriate;
• Review the legal capacity of governments/ agencies to effectively implement measures to combat IUU fishing (i.e. Vessel Monitoring Systems, AIS etc.) and make recommendations for future actions;
• Review current methods and arrangements for ensuring compliance with fisheries regulations;
• Review and assessment of fisheries prosecution and investigation techniques, including evidence gathering; chain of evidence; court procedures and sanctions; and recommendations for further work.

National level assessment of MCS assets, systems and tools

The consultant will complete an assessment of the fit for purpose nature of MCS tools, systems, technologies, processes and infrastructure in each country giving due regard to HR capacity limitations, fleet mobility, highly migratory fish stocks and the transboundary nature of IUU Fishing. The consultant will:

• Carry out site visits and consultations with MCS personnel in each country to prepare a comprehensive assessment of the fit for purpose nature of infrastructure, systems and tools used to perform monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement duties in small-scale and commercial fisheries;
• Assess existing facilities/equipment/systems and make recommendations for improvements;
• Assess the merits / demerits of satellite technologies to monitor the spatial and temporal patterns of fishing boats and provide guidance on whether such systems could: enhance compliance; support fisheries management science through mapping of fishing effort; and safety at sea;
• Review the cost and availability of satellite remote sensing technologies to support MCS activities and make recommendations on their application to combat IUU Fishing in small-scale and commercial fisheries;
• Prepare a SWOT analysis on the utility of a regional MCS centre and the procurement of on the water assets to combat IUU Fishing in the OECS region;
• Identify and recommend cost effective measures that can be readily implemented in the short to medium term to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing. Prepare an indicative costing for any infrastructure, systems and tools recommended to be acquired and a Cost Benefit Analysis.

Human resource capacity needs to effectively combat IUU Fishing

The consultant will carry out an assessment of human resources available, their competencies and skill levels to combat IUU Fishing at national and regional levels. Based on the assessment, the consultant will prepare a capacity needs assessment for each country and the commission specifying the numbers of staff required and the skills / competencies required to carry out their responsibilities. The consultant will:

• Review Public Service Commission staffing levels for fisheries; compilation organizational charts; numbers of persons tasked with IUU Fishing related duties / responsibilities; numbers of filled / vacant posts; job descriptions;
• Evaluate roles and responsibilities of divisions, agencies and ministries with responsibilities associated with combatting IUU Fishing (organizational frameworks and interagency cooperation);
• Assess the allocation of staff to combat IUU fishing in small-scale and commercial fisheries.
• Based on the assessment:
• Identify critical gaps in staffing associated with monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement in fisheries and make recommendations to fill critical gaps;
• Make recommendations on the adequacy of staffing levels, their qualifications and experience to effectively combat IUU Fishing; identify HR gaps that need to be filled as a priority; and prepare model job descriptions for key MCS related posts;
• Prepare a human resources and training needs assessment for national fisheries authorities and the commission, including: indicative costing for training at national and regional levels; types of training (course content and duration) required and the most effective way for courses to be delivered to personnel.

Deliverable 4a. National level IUU Fishing audit stocktaking reports with recommendations.

Deliverable 4b. One national level MCS stocktaking reports with recommendations for improvements.

Deliverable 4c. Training and Human Resource Capacity Needs Assessment Report with costed work plans for delivery of training over the next 5 years.[5]

Activity 5 – St. Lucia National level Work

National Level Audit

The consultant will complete national level audits on IUU Fishing in OECS waters and provide recommendations on actions to be taken to strengthen national and regional capacities to combat IUU Fishing. The work will include:

• Review the methodology used to derive Coastal, Port and Flag State scores by OECS member countries in the IUU global fishing index and provide recommendations on ways to improve country performance;
• Stocktaking and gap analysis of policy and governance frameworks in each country;
• Review of ongoing and planned national activities to combat IUU Fishing;
• Assessment of international fisheries instruments that each country has ratified or acceded to; progress reports on their effective implementation; and recommendations for further work;
• Identification of RFMO/As to which each country is a contracting party; assessment of country standing regarding implementation of Conservation and Management Measures and reporting obligations; and recommendations for further work;
• Review of the country’s cooperating status in the fight against IUU fishing including country good standing with Market States and flag any issues that need to be addressed to maintain good standing;
• Review of terms and conditions of fisheries licenses for domestic fisheries and whether such terms and conditions are adequate for monitoring and compliance purposes;
• Review of fisheries registries, foreign fishing agreements and high seas fishing arrangements and compliance with national and international law; provide recommendations where appropriate;
• Review the legal capacity of governments/ agencies to effectively implement measures to combat IUU fishing (i.e. Vessel Monitoring Systems, AIS etc.) and make recommendations for future actions;
• Review current methods and arrangements for ensuring compliance with fisheries regulations;
• Review and assessment of fisheries prosecution and investigation techniques, including evidence gathering; chain of evidence; court procedures and sanctions; and recommendations for further work.

National level assessment of MCS assets, systems and tools

The consultant will complete an assessment of the fit for purpose nature of MCS tools, systems, technologies, processes and infrastructure in each country giving due regard to HR capacity limitations, fleet mobility, highly migratory fish stocks and the transboundary nature of IUU Fishing. The consultant will:

• Carry out site visits and consultations with MCS personnel in each country to prepare a comprehensive assessment of the fit for purpose nature of infrastructure, systems and tools used to perform monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement duties in small-scale and commercial fisheries;
• Assess existing facilities/equipment/systems and make recommendations for improvements;
• Assess the merits / demerits of satellite technologies to monitor the spatial and temporal patterns of fishing boats and provide guidance on whether such systems could: enhance compliance; support fisheries management science through mapping of fishing effort; and safety at sea;
• Review the cost and availability of satellite remote sensing technologies to support MCS activities and make recommendations on their application to combat IUU Fishing in small-scale and commercial fisheries;
• Prepare a SWOT analysis on the utility of a regional MCS centre and the procurement of on the water assets to combat IUU Fishing in the OECS region;
• Identify and recommend cost effective measures that can be readily implemented in the short to medium term to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing. Prepare an indicative costing for any infrastructure, systems and tools recommended to be acquired and a Cost Benefit Analysis.

Human resource capacity needs to effectively combat IUU Fishing

The consultant will carry out an assessment of human resources available, their competencies and skill levels to combat IUU Fishing at national and regional levels. Based on the assessment, the consultant will prepare a capacity needs assessment for each country and the commission specifying the numbers of staff required and the skills / competencies required to carry out their responsibilities. The consultant will:

• Review Public Service Commission staffing levels for fisheries; compilation organizational charts; numbers of persons tasked with IUU Fishing related duties / responsibilities; numbers of filled / vacant posts; job descriptions.
• Evaluate roles and responsibilities of divisions, agencies and ministries with responsibilities associated with combatting IUU Fishing (organizational frameworks and interagency cooperation);
• Assess the allocation of staff to combat IUU fishing in small-scale and commercial fisheries.
• Based on the assessment:
• Identify critical gaps in staffing associated with monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement in fisheries and make recommendations to fill critical gaps;
• Make recommendations on the adequacy of staffing levels, their qualifications and experience to effectively combat IUU Fishing; identify HR gaps that need to be filled as a priority; and prepare model job descriptions for key MCS related posts
• Prepare a human resources and training needs assessment for national fisheries authorities and the commission, including: indicative costing for training at national and regional levels; types of training (course content and duration) required and the most effective means of course delivery to personnel.

Deliverable 5a. National level IUU Fishing audit stocktaking reports with recommendations.

Deliverable 5b. One national level MCS stocktaking reports with recommendations for improvements.

Deliverable 5c. Training and Human Resource Capacity Needs Assessment Report with costed work plans, course content and duration for delivery of training over the next 5 years[6]

Activity 6 – St. Vincent and the Grenadines National level Work

National Level Audit

The consultant will complete national level audits on IUU Fishing in OECS waters and provide recommendations on actions to be taken to strengthen national and regional capacities to combat IUU Fishing. The work will include:

• Review the methodology used to derive Coastal, Port and Flag State scores by OECS member countries in the IUU global fishing index and provide recommendations on ways to improve country performance;
• Stocktaking and gap analysis of policy and governance frameworks in each country;
• Review of ongoing and planned national activities to combat IUU Fishing;
• Assessment of international fisheries instruments that each country has ratified or acceded to; progress reports on their effective implementation; and recommendations for further work;
• Identification of RFMO/As to which each country is a contracting party; assessment of country standing regarding implementation of Conservation and Management Measures and reporting obligations; and recommendations for further work;
• Review of the country’s cooperating status in the fight against IUU fishing including country good standing with Market States and flag any issues that need to be addressed to maintain good standing;
• Review of terms and conditions of fisheries licenses for domestic fisheries and whether such terms and conditions are adequate for monitoring and compliance purposes.
• Review of fisheries registries, foreign fishing agreements and high seas fishing arrangements and compliance with national and international law; provide recommendations where appropriate;
• Review the legal capacity of governments/ agencies to effectively implement measures to combat IUU fishing (i.e. Vessel Monitoring Systems, AIS etc.) and make recommendations for future actions;
• Review current methods and arrangements for ensuring compliance with fisheries regulations;
• Review and assessment of fisheries prosecution and investigation techniques, including evidence gathering; chain of evidence; court procedures and sanctions; and recommendations for further work.

National level assessment of MCS assets, systems and tools

The consultant will complete an assessment of the fit for purpose nature of MCS tools, systems, technologies, processes and infrastructure in each country giving due regard to HR capacity limitations, fleet mobility, highly migratory fish stocks and the transboundary nature of IUU Fishing. The consultant will:

• Carry out site visits and consultations with MCS personnel in each country to prepare a comprehensive assessment of the fit for purpose nature of infrastructure, systems and tools used to perform monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement duties in small-scale and commercial fisheries;
• Assess existing facilities/equipment/systems and make recommendations for improvements;
• Assess the merits / demerits of satellite technologies to monitor the spatial and temporal patterns of fishing boats and provide guidance on whether such systems could: enhance compliance; support fisheries management science through mapping of fishing effort; and safety at sea;
• Review the cost and availability of satellite remote sensing technologies to support MCS activities and make recommendations on their application to combat IUU Fishing in small-scale and commercial fisheries;
• Prepare a SWOT analysis on the utility of a regional MCS centre and the procurement of on the water assets to combat IUU Fishing in the OECS region;
• Identify and recommend cost effective measures that can be readily implemented in the short to medium term to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing. Prepare an indicative costing for any infrastructure, systems and tools recommended to be acquired and a Cost Benefit Analysis.

Human resource capacity needs to effectively combat IUU Fishing

The consultant will carry out an assessment of human resources available, their competencies and skill levels to combat IUU Fishing at national and regional levels. Based on the assessment, the consultant will prepare a capacity needs assessment for each country and the commission specifying the numbers of staff required and the skills / competencies required to carry out their responsibilities. The consultant will:

• Review Public Service Commission staffing levels for fisheries; compilation organizational charts; numbers of persons tasked with IUU Fishing related duties / responsibilities; numbers of filled / vacant posts; job descriptions.
• Evaluate roles and responsibilities of divisions, agencies and ministries with responsibilities associated with combatting IUU Fishing (organizational frameworks and interagency cooperation);
• Assess the allocation of staff to combat IUU fishing in small-scale and commercial fisheries.
• Based on the assessment:
• Identify critical gaps in staffing associated with monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement in fisheries and make recommendations to fill critical gaps;
• Make recommendations on the adequacy of staffing levels, their qualifications and experience to effectively combat IUU Fishing; identify HR gaps that need to be filled as a priority; and prepare model job descriptions for key MCS related posts
• Prepare a human resources and training needs assessment for national fisheries authorities and the commission, including: indicative costing for training at national and regional levels; types of training (course content and duration) required and the most effective way for courses to be delivered to personnel.

Deliverable 6a. National level IUU Fishing audit stocktaking reports with recommendations.

Deliverable 6b. One national level MCS stocktaking reports with recommendations for improvements.

Deliverable 6c. Training and Human Resource Capacity Needs Assessment Report with costed work plans for delivery of training over the next 5 years[7]

Activity 7 – Incorporation of selected IUU Fishing tools into a draft regional strategy

The consultant will Review the various tools and best practices available nationally and internationally to combat IUU Fishing; make recommendations on those tools that need to be incorporated into the regional IUU Fishing Strategy and how they can be tailored to meet specific national and regional circumstances. Such tools should include among others: Voluntary Guidelines for Catch Documentation Schemes; Harmonized Minimum Terms and Conditions for access by fishing vessels to OECS Member State waters including crew rights and welfare; Harmonized NPOA-IUU Fishing; Regional protocols for secure information sharing on IUU Fishing threat assessments; FAO Port State Measures Agreement

Deliverable 7. Draft text on key tools to combat IUU Fishing to be incorporated into a regional strategy.

Activity 8 – Drafting of an OECS Regional IUU Fishing Strategy

Based on the findings of Activities 1-7, the consultant will prepare a draft OECS Regional Fishing Strategy which is underpinned by:

• regular exchanges of information between the consultant, the Commission and OECS members vis a vis the development of data collection methods, analytics and the findings associated with activities 1-7 of this assignment;
• defined roles and responsibilities of national and regional agencies / institutions within the eastern Caribbean with respect to shared responsibilities to combat IUU Fishing;
• consideration of cost-effective measures that can be easily implemented in the short to medium term to combat IUU fishing;
• strategies to engage regional fishery bodies and management organizations in relation to data exchanges to enhance IUU threat assessments and to combat IUU fishing within the OECS Region;
• mechanisms to ensure effective cooperation and coordination among OECS Member States and entities as may be necessary in regard to intelligence gathering and secure information sharing of IUU Fishing threats;
• adoption of best international/regional/national practices employed to combat, deter and eliminate IUU fishing.

Deliverable 8 – Draft OECS Regional IUU Fishing Strategy

Activity 9 - OECS Regional IUU Fishing Strategy Implementation Plan

Based on the findings of Activities 1-8, the consultant will prepare a road map of prioritized costed and sequenced actions to implement the OECS IUU Regional Fishing Strategy.

Deliverable 9 – Regional IUU Fishing Strategy Costed Implementation Plan

Activity 10 – Regular progress reporting of findings to OECS member States

• Based on activities 1-9, convene meetings to report progress on the findings, receive input from OECS members and the commission on recommendations and planning of the next steps.

Deliverable 10. Progress reports including recommendations.

Activity 11 – Mentoring and delivery of training support to the OECS Commission and OECS Member States on IUU Fishing related matters

• The Consulting firm will provide regular technical support and mentoring to senior technical staff in the Commission and the national fisheries agencies through site visits and online meetings and training sessions. An allocation of approximately 50 days of time should be set aside for training and mentoring support.

Deliverable 11a. Training reports and records of time spent mentoring OECS Commission

Deliverable 11b. Training reports and records of time spent mentoring Grenada

Deliverable 11c. Training reports and records of time spent mentoring St. Lucia

Deliverable 11d. Training reports and records of time spent mentoring St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• ASSIGNMENT DURATION, DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE AND PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The assignment is expected to be undertaken over a thirteen (13) month period from April 2025 to April 2026.

• REQUIRED LEVEL OF EXPERTISE OF CONSULTING FIRM

The following requirements are a broad description of the likely expertise needed for this consultancy assignment. The Consultant may propose additional experts in the Technical Proposal as may be needed to fulfil this TOR.

The Consultant is expected to:

• be a firm or an association of consultants with appropriate and sufficient capabilities, resources, and experience to execute the full extent of the scope of services to a very high quality;
• collaborate with national firms, consultants and/or associates familiar with the local legislation, regulations, environmental and social conditions, and other relevant local knowledge;
• have a proven record in successfully completing similar assignments in the fisheries sectors (particularly in the Caribbean region);
• formulate a dedicated assignment team comprised of experts with relevant technical expertise in fisheries policy, governance (legislative and regulatory) frameworks, MCS and fisheries management. In addition, the team must be well-balanced with excellent skills in written and spoken English skills; report writing and publishing, project management, analytics, and team building.

The following expertise is required although alternative combinations of roles may be considered. The firm is expected to choose a team leader from among one of the four technical key experts required for this task.

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