consultancy- Illegal Fishing in the Territorial Waters of Somalia

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Adeso is a humanitarian and development organization that is changing the way people think about and deliver aid in Africa. We are an NGO in Africa working in a very different way than most of the international organizations. We believe that development must come from within, not outside African communities. That it is Africans themselves who must determine Africa’s future, and that while international aid has provided much-needed support, it often falls short of enabling lasting change at grassroots level. We want to change this, and our strong bonds with African communities mean we are uniquely placed to do so.

ILLEGAL FISHING IN SOMALI WATERS

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains one of the greatest threats to sustainable world fisheries and to the livelihoods of those who depend on them. While no precise figures are known, it is widely accepted that the scale of illegal fishing is huge and worth an estimated US$10-23 billion dollars annually according to a recent MRAG1 study. The adverse ecological impacts of illegal fishing are wide ranging including: compromising the scientific basis of fish stock management, threatening the sustainability of fisheries that many depend on for food and income; and having profound impacts on non-target species, marine habitat and ecology. These illegal actions combined with port generated pollution are resulting in a great deal of coral reef destruction. In the absence of efforts to enact truly protective and far-sighted environmental policies, little thought is being given to the future environmental impacts. 1 Bawumia and Sumaila, 2010: Fisheries, Ecosystems and Piracy: A Case study of Somalia 2 Illegal fishing may either involve infringement of regulations by licensed vessels or by vessels which are neither regulated nor required to report their catch. Crucially, illegal fishing undermines efforts to conserve and manage fisheries and leads to the loss of social and economic opportunities and on occasion negatively effects on food security. Little data exists on the extent of illegal fishing in many developing countries, but the practice is prevalent, more so on Somalia’s vast yet highly insecure and unguarded coastline. After the collapse of the Somali central government, countless and multifaceted problems faced environmental governance, including marine resource governance. The negligence of untapped marine resources led to the depletion of these resources through indiscriminately illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing activities. Although the existence of illegal fishing in the Somali territorial and exclusive economic zone waters is evident as also indicated by many international reports, this is primarily through anecdotal evidence.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to conduct empirical evidence based research on the existence of illegal fishing in Somali waters and to assess both the economic and ecological impact of illegal fishing on Somali fisher communities and domestic fish-processing industry. It is hoped that this evidence based study will provide clear recommendations for policy action, advocacy strategy to combat IUU fishing, in Somalia and internationally, and also conservation and food security for fishing communities. The objectives of this consultancy are: 1. To analyze the fundamental types of illegal fishing (unlicensed foreign industrial vessels; unreported or misreported fishing on the part of “licensed” vessels, illegal fishing in prohibited areas, particularly close to shore, and with illegal nets; and illegal fishing by artisanal vessels); 2. To analyze and identify the key (domestic and international) factors that foster illegal fishing and its impacts on Somalia marine ecosystems and livelihoods (through synthesis of available knowledge both empirical and anecdotal); 3. To carry out extensive fact finding missions and interviews in all coastal areas of Somalia with fishing communities, fishing industry (or business people operating in the Somali fishing sector) as well as relevant stakeholders such as local authorities, to gather evidence on illegal fishing, it's impact on the local communities and marine resources, and the links to piracy); 4. To derive a better understanding of the areas of vulnerability that enable illegal fishing activity to thrive (both at policy and governance level); 5. To identify specific form(s) of support to enable the Somalia government to better implement their responsibilities in respect of illegal fishing and high seas fisheries; 6. To identify policy options and strategies to combat illegal fishing; 7. To produce a policy paper and advocacy paper on illegal fishing in Somalia based on key findings and analysis.

DELIVERABLES

1. Draft national legislation for the protection and management of marine and coastal environments.
2. Brief inception report detailing key questions and approaches of the study.
3. Final report on the consultancy (validated with the stakeholders). In addition to these, it is maybe worthwhile to consider as deliverables (also as per the objectives):
4. Policy paper 3
5. Advocacy paper (designed both for “legal” duty bearers such as Somali authorities, as well as the “moral” duty bearers such as the UN, EU and other multi-lateral organisms/institutions and the rest of the International Community at large.
6. Recommendations that will effectively inform future national legislation for the Somali fishery sector and the conservation and management of the marine ecosystem.

METHODOLOGY

This study will involve secondary and primary research combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Five key methods shall be employed: • Desk review; • Study survey; • Interviewing fisher folk and fish traders and local fish processors; • Interviewing key informants (including Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Ministry of Security) Consider also regional organism overseeing fishing sector or marine environment conservation, etc.); • Interviewing local authorities.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The consulting company or research institution will work in close collaboration with the NRM project technical team at Adeso. In administrating structured questionnaire, the consultants should go beyond the major towns to the remote coastal areas, including Bandarbeyla, Ceelaayo, Eyl Garacad, Hurdiya, Lasqorey and Qandala in Puntland, Zaylac, and Berbera in Somaliland, and H´Hobyo, Harardhere, Eldheer, Adale, Warsheikh, Merca, Brava and Kismayo in South & Central Somalia.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The consultant should be a highly qualified person or preferably a multidisciplinary consulting firm or research institution with expertise which must have: • A team of experts and at least 10 years experience in marine/natural resource management; • Substantial experience in research, evaluation and surveys as well as designing actionable policy and advocacy recommendation for national governments and international bodies; • Proven knowledge and experience in the fisheries sector with particular emphasis on IUU fishing; • Expert(s) who are willing to travel to Somalia to collect relevant data; • An understanding of operating in an insecure environment with a history of conflict; • Previous work experience in Somalia is desirable.

COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

In consideration of the fees paid, the consulting company or research institution expressly assigns to Adeso any copyright arising from the works the institution produces while executing this contract. All images (whether used for online or print purposes) must however bear the consulting institution’s photo credit, as specified by international intellectual property rights. The consulting institution may not use, reproduce or otherwise disseminate or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate such works without prior consent from Adeso

How to apply:

Applications should be submitted by August 30th, 2013. The selection committee will review all applications as they arrive. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer. Following assessment, the consultant firms/individuals will be selected on a short list in accordance with the Adeso’s policies and procedures will be interviewed and a contract will be issued to the most suitable applicant. In addition, the Adeso will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. Adeso reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder. Each application package should include the following: • An application letter addressing the selection criteria including how the consulting company or research institution previous experience matches the consultancy objectives as well as the interest for the position. It should also indicate the proposed methodology for the exercise, an elaboration of relevant experience, the consulting company or research institution’s availability and consultancy rates. The letter should be no longer than two pages; • Updated CVs including relevant work experience and qualifications; • Contact details of at least 2 references; • A sample of recent similar work; • Quotation. Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. All applications should be sent to Adeso at consultancy@adesoafrica.org with the subject line: Illegal Fishing in the Territorial Waters of Somalia