Octopus Fishery Improvement Project Technical Assistant, Madagascar

Our work is currently focusing on improving key aspects of the octopus fishery as part of an ambitious Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP), that aims to increase the long-term sustainability of the fishery. The octopus fishery in SW Madagascar is now managed by a group of stakeholders, the CGP - Comite de Gestion de la pêche au Poulpe, which includes community members, fisheries companies, NGOs and government authorities. This role will support the implementation of key FIP activities, such as research to understand ecosystem and bycatch impacts of the fishery, communicating key findings of the stock assessment and supporting the implementation of a harvest control rule.

The position represents a unique opportunity to support a Fisheries Improvement Project for an economically important fishery that supports thousands of small-scale fishers in SW Madagascar, and to develop key lessons learned to share within Madagascar and with Blue Ventures’ international partners.

This role will work closely fisheries companies, local communities, researchers and the University of Toliara, whilst reporting directly to Blue Ventures’ Sustainable Fisheries Programme Manager. The successful candidate will also work to build the capacity of the rest of the team, who will support community and stakeholder engagement in the project.

Major Roles and Responsibilities

Lead on implementation of FIP research

• Develop research methods for answering key knowledge gaps for successful regional octopus fisheries management
• Coordinate and oversee implementation of research and key FIP activities, as outlined in the agreed FIP work plan, including hiring staff/students/consultants as needed.
• Analyse data, produce reports and organise dissemination of results.
• Support sustainable fisheries project manager to liaise with partners and stakeholders in fishery to gather information and provide feedback on activities and results.

Support implementation of FIP

• Lead on dissemination of the SW Madagascar stock assessment to stakeholders, as well as harvest control rule (HCR) discussions and implementation.
• Assist with design, coordination and development of the closure regime for octopus fisheries in SW Madagascar, through lessons gathered from the stock assessment and HCR.
• Assist with write up of knowledge of octopus fishery and history of management regime for FIP.
• Lead on the development of an octopus fisheries management plan for SW Madagascar.
• Ensure a clear understanding of long-term strategy of project is maintained. 

Technical support

• Provide training and capacity building to project team and project partners in outputs of research and FIP.
• Train staff, and other project partners where relevant, in data analysis and dissemination methods.

Communication and awareness

• Ensure excellent internal communication within and across partner organisations in this project.
• Report progress and disseminate results to team, communities, management committees and other stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Assist with the preparation of grant reports to funding partners as required.
• Contribute to Blue Ventures’ communications outputs as required.