Enhancing Knowledge for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Africa 288 views0 applications

Documenting knowledge products, for realistic policy reform, within the framework of Revised African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM)

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC), is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union. The Vision of the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan 2018-2023 is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace. AU-IBAR’s intervention in the fisheries and aquaculture sector is guided by the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) which is aimed at improving governance of the sector for increased sustainable contribution to food security, livelihoods and wealth creation. Also within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy environed an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.

The fisheries and aquaculture sector assumed high political attention after the first dedicated summit of African Heads of States and Governments in Abuja 2005, dubbed the ‘Abuja Fish-for-all’ Summit. This was in recognition of the immense potential of the fisheries and aquaculture sector to contribute to food security, livelihoods and sustainable blue economic growth in African Union Member States. The importance of the sector was also underscored by the First Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture (CAMFA) in 2010, Banjul, the Gambia and the Joint Ministerial Conference on Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2014, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

With support from the Global Environmental (GEF)/World Bank, AU-IBAR in collaboration with FAO and WWF, implemented the project “Strategic Partnership for Fisheries Investment Fund” (SPFIF) between 2005 and 2011. The project aimed at promoting the sustainable management of fisheries resources in selected African Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) towards achieving the fisheries and poverty reduction targets set at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable development (WSSD). The project laid the foundation for the establishment of Africa Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM), facilitated the development of realistic fisheries policy, legal and institutional frameworks through dissemination of best practices and contributed to establishment of an AU policy organ for African fisheries – Conference of African ministers of fisheries and aquaculture (CAMFA).

The architecture of AFRM was developed during the stakeholders’ partnership coordination meeting in February 2012, Nairobi, Kenya, attended by representatives from AU-IBAR, World Bank, FAO, WWF, RFBs (Regional Fisheries Bodies), experts and stakeholders from Africa, Europe etc. The African Union AU-based continental partnership platform – the African Fisheries Reform Mechanism, AFRM – was therefore established with the prime aim of facilitating coordination and coherence in the governance of fisheries and aquaculture sector. Specifically the AFRM was to support information sharing on lesson and best practices, enhance communication, foster institutional collaboration, promote partnerships, strengthen evidenced-base policy formulation and promote integration or mainstreaming of the sector in AU policy process, increase common African positions in regional and global fora. The Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) was formulated within the framework of the AFRM.

The 2014 Joint Ministerial Conference also requested AU, RECs Member States and partners to support operationalization of the AFRM as the continental platform for coordinating coherent intervention and investments in fisheries and aquaculture

The 2014 Joint Ministerial Conference also endorsed the PFRS and the African Ministers recommended to the AU to put in place a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the policy framework and report regularly to Member States.

Rationale

Though the AFRM has contributed greatly to enhancing coordination mechanisms and institutional collaboration in the governance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, supported evidence-based development of fisheries and aquaculture policies, strategies, awareness enhancing on and elevating the profile of the sector etc the AFRM faced considerable challenges in fully realizing its objectives on strengthening coordination, coherence, promoting sustainable fisheries through evidence-based policies and best practices.

Therefore, with support from the World Bank, AU-IBAR in 2018/2019 implemented a project to strength the AFRM and the Secretariat of CAMFA, hosted at AU-IBAR. The support was within the World Bank’s flagship project on Regional Partnership for African Fisheries Policy Reform (RAFIP). After a year of implementation, the following were achieved: i) A Revised Structure of the AFRM; ii) Draft Mechanism for resource mobilization iii. Draft Mechanism for monitoring the implementation of AU Ministerial Decisions on fisheries and aquaculture iv. Draft report on progress of implementation of AU Ministerial Decisions.

A key function of the AFRM was to provide evidence-based policy formulation relating to issues of fisheries and aquaculture; these include governance of large marine ecosystems, issues of marine ecosystems productivity, climate change and ocean economy, packaging lessons learned and best practices in support of sustainable fisheries; issues of coordination and regional cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture etc. The evidence-based policy formulations was to be technically supported by the AFRM working groups during Think Tank consultative meetings. Since the AFRM working groups faced challenges, their full operationalization were not achieved. Thus considerable areas, ongoing and emerging, for strengthening sustainable fisheries were not addressed. There is an imperative need to undertake further studies or update studies (where necessary) and develop knowledge products on existing and emerging issues to facilitate sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development in the AU Member States and at regional levels.

Also, against the background of the numerous issues that continue to undermine the realization of the full potential of Africa fisheries, there are generally lack of cooperation among nations sharing marine ecosystems, uncoordinated intervention by actors, agencies and partners, incoherent and weak national and regional policies and legislations, declining states of fisheries resources, degradation of habitat and environment pollution etc. In a bid to ameliorate these challenges, the fisheries and aquaculture sector benefitted immensely from several projects and programmes over the past decades mainly aimed at improving sustainability in the exploitation and governance of the sector.

These interventions resulted in broad spectrum of outcomes, success stories on experiences which, need to be revisited and properly articulated to provide knowledge products for informed and rational sustainable exploitation and governance of fisheries resources by African Union Member States and regional institutions. The study would also draw lessons and best practices on issues of small-scale fisheries development, on regional cooperation or agreement on fisheries resources management (e.g. Tuna resources, other shared resources) etc.

The outcomes of the studies would support the implementation of 2014 ministerial decisions for AU, RECs and Member States to promote the implementation of international and regional best practices and technological adaptation for fisheries and aquaculture development.

A another important aspect of this study would be to strengthen knowledge of AU MS and RECs on the implementation of LME modules for assessing changes of African LMEs as well as Watershed Approach (WSA) for environmental governance towards integrated regional management .of ecosystems.

In light of the above, AU-IBAR seeks the services of suitable consultants to conduct studies, document lessons and best practices as knowledge products to support African Union Member States and Regional Institutions for informed, sustainable fisheries and responsible aquaculture development in Africa. Aspects of the studies would also entail formulation of information notes, practical guides etc.

The study areas are listed in the Tables below.

Consultancy no. 1Develop a Technical Information Paper on climate change and ocean economy in the context of Sustainable Development of Africa, highlighting challenges and opportunities. The assignment should also incorporate Awareness Enhancing and Advocacy paper on RFMOs, challenges and opportunities presented to AU Member States as members.2Conduct case studies, document lessons learned and best practices in the Governance of LMEs; develop Practical Guide on implementation of LME modules for assessing LMEs towards enhancing regional management of shared resources and ecosystems;3Conduct case studies, document lessons learned and best practices on environmental management practices, biosecurity measures in aquatic production systems in Africa; develop Practical Guide on implementing watershed approach (WSA) as a coordinating framework for environmental management4Conduct case studies, document lessons learned and best practices on small-scale fisheries development practices towards increased sustainable contribution to food security, livelihoods and income5Conduct case studies, document lessons learned and best practices on coordination mechanisms (and institutional collaboration) within selected shared aquatic ecosystems in Africa6Conduct case studies, lessons learned and best practices on regional cooperation or agreements for fisheries resources management,

Objectives of the Consultancy

The broad objective of this suite of consultancies is therefore to conduct case studies, document update lessons, best practices, develop Guides, Information materials on identified issues that are very relevant necessary to rational and sustainable fisheries exploitation, management as well as responsible aquaculture development in Africa. Examples of and lessons best practices should also be drawn from success stories on fisheries management and aquaculture practices from outside the African continent.

Specific Objectives

• Conduct case studies, document lessons learned, best practices and success stories in respective areas (in the Tables) for sustainable fisheries and responsible aquaculture development in Africa.
• Develop Information Papers and Practical Guides for respective areas
• Support stakeholders’ consultation processes on dissemination
• Make recommendations on the required policy reforms for the effective utilization and implementation of the identified best practices, guides, seize on the opportunities for sustainable African fisheries and aquaculture

Methodology of Conducting the Assignment

The consultants are expected to:

• Liaise and hold briefing with relevant staff of AU-IBAR
• Identify fisheries and aquaculture development practices, institutions, in Africa (and outside Africa where necessary) for case studies, documentation of lessons and demonstration of best practices
• Identify sources of information, reports of relevant projects, programmes in Africa or beyond
• Gain access to, and be thoroughly conversant with, relevant institutions at national level, regional and international levels for sourcing relevant documents
• Conduct extensive desk research, consultations and source information on case studies, lessons, best practices, formulate information papers, guides for respective consultancy areas
• Review, consult literature, stakeholders, partners, projects, programmes on the implementation of LME modules and WSA, highlighting challenges and solutions
• Conduct online consultations with stakeholders, beneficiaries, AU member states and RECs with relevant experiences for enriching the outputs from above consultancies
• Consult electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AUDA-NEPAD and relevant AUC departments
• Support virtual dissemination workshop on the lessons and best practices
• Successful consultants to produce comprehensive reports for each assigned consultancy area

Deliverables

For each consultancy:

• A draft inception report within five (5) calendar days of signing the contract. The inception report should demonstrate a clear understanding of the assignment by the consultant. The report should also include a detailed work plan, timelines and deliverables of the assignment for respective consultancy area in the Tables
• A first draft on respective consultancy areas in the above Tables
• A second draft report on respective areas in the above Tables
• Final reports on each consultancy areas in the Table, incorporating comments and suggestions made by stakeholders
• Support to dissemination workshops (conducted virtually or physically)

Qualifications

The consultant(s) selected for the assignment will possess an advanced degree in fisheries science, fisheries management, aquaculture development or in fields closely related to the above consultancy areas. A PhD degree in relevant disciplines would be an added advantage.

General Experience

The successful consultants are expected to have the following experiences:

1. Record of familiarization with institutions with mandates in fisheries, aquaculture or related disciplines at national, regional and continental levels in Africa
2. Familiarization of relevant regional and continental development priorities and agenda
3. Demonstrated knowledge of relevant global instruments and initiatives relevant to fisheries, aquaculture and related disciplines
4. Record of supporting formulation of policies, strategies and frameworks for AU member states and regional institutions in Africa
5. Proven knowledge on ocean governance issues, coordination, collaboration and partnerships or cooperation for fisheries or aquaculture development

Specific Experience

1. At least 5 years’ combined experience and familiarization with issues in Africa fisheries and aquaculture sector
2. Proven record of conducting research, investigation and publishing on issues relevant to fisheries and aquaculture development
3. Record of extensive experience and knowledge on the chosen consultancy areas
4. Evidence of knowledge on organizations, relevant projects and projects (past, ongoing) related to chosen consultancy areas in Africa
5. Proven record of publications on best practices, lessons, developing manuals, Guides and policy orientation papers on relevant fields for informed and sustainable governance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector

Other Essential Attributes

1. Record of good writing skills and scientific publications in relevant fields Good experience of facilitating workshops in related fields in Africa
2. Record of delivery assignment within tight schedules
3. Proficiency in at least two AU official languages

Application Procedures

Individual consultants can apply:
Applications can be submitted for: the consultancy Service she/he is interested.

Duration for this Consultancy

30 days

Technical and Financial Proposal

The proposal should be divided into a technical and a financial part

A technical proposal indicating the approach to the assignment, including the proposed methodology and work plan, objectives, activities to be carried out, expected outputs, outline of the content and a clear timeframe to carry out the assignment.
A financial proposal for the consultancy should be all inclusive (consultancy fees, and any other cost).

Supervision and Approval of Report

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Senior Fisheries Officer at AU-IBAR, who will also have the responsibility of final approval of reports.

Equipment

The consultant will use his/her own laptop and other data capturing equipment deemed necessary during execution of the assignment.

Insurance Cover

The consultant will be responsible for his/her own medical and life insurance cover for the duration of the assignment.