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The island of Rodrigues (Republic of Mauritius) lies some 650 kilometres northeast of Mauritius Island in the western Indian Ocean. The 90km fringing reef surrounding the island encloses a lagoon of over 240 square kilometres. An estimated 40% of the lagoon coral and associated ecosystem is severely impacted by destructive fishing practices, siltation from up stream erosion, and to a lesser degree, pollution from agricultural and sewage run off. Many communities in Rodrigues are dependent on the lagoon, with some 2000 fishers attempting to glean a living from the lagoon, 900 of whom are estimated to be working in the southern sector proposed to be developed as a Marine Protected Area under the project ‘Partnerships for Marine Protected Areas in Mauritius and Rodrigues’. One of the main objectives of this project is to enable policies and institutional framework for the effective participation and the sustainable co-management of MPAs. The major output will be strengthening policies and legislation for the creation and sustainable management of MPAs.
At the same time, the Mauritius Ile Durable (MID) concept which is to make Mauritius a world model of sustainable development, particularly in the context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is starting a National Policy Process in February 2010. The consultant will therefore provide a Status of matters in the area Marine Protected Area; present the current policies as well as the gaps in knowledge and proposed way forward to integrate sustainability into national policy.
Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant will conduct a study to review current policies and legislation in the Republic of Mauritius concerning participation and co-management, marine resources management and MPAs, with recommendations for future policy reviews. The consultant will:
Conduct a literature review on the Status of matters in the area of Marine Protected Area for the MID concept;
Compile and review policies, both applicable and which outdated and present gaps in knowledge to MID stakeholders;
Propose way forward to integrate sustainability into MID national policy;
Establish, in collaboration, with the Republic of Mauritius MPA Working Group and CTA a frame of reference for examining public participation in marine environmental policy;
Support the design and facilitation of Working groups workshops and advise them on their working topics and outputs
Review policies (if any exist) and legislation relevant to the marine environment, in the light of this framework;
Document how the policy and legal instruments fit within the framework of public participation;
Make recommendations regarding policy development and legal reviews of relevance to public participation and co-management;
Present these recommendations to the MPA Working Group;
Produce a final report following the invitation of key stakeholders to comment.
Competencies
Strong natural science background with extensive contemporary knowledge of co management methods applied to MPAs and community managed marine resources;
Experience in leading the development of management plans, regulatory processes and carrying out risk assessments and developing associated contingency plans relevant to MPAs;
Experience in policy review and drafting in the area of Marine Protected Area;
Knowledge of Rodrigues and Mauritius would be an advantage but must have sound experience in the wider South West Indian Ocean region with good networking contacts;
Good interpersonal skills and experience in the development of co management strategies and working closely with communities and other stakeholders.
Required Skills and Experience
PhD in Marine Science or related fields with minimum 10 years experience and 5 years experience in the development of community based MPAs and marine resource management;
Knowledge of Rodrigues and Mauritius would be an advantage but must have sound experience in the wider South West Indian Ocean region with good networking contacts;
Experience in policy review and drafting in the area of Marine Protected Area;
Fluency in English is essential, Creole and French would be advantageous.
