Request for Proposal (RFP) - Morocco Fisheries Mapping, Data integration, Validation and Decision Support

Global Fishing Watch RFP

12h•Remote

About The Position

Global Fishing Watch (GFW) is seeking a qualified consultant to support fisheries management and marine conservation efforts in Morocco. This role involves validating GFW's data with existing knowledge of Moroccan Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF), comparing and cross-checking datasets, assessing spatial and temporal consistency, and identifying opportunities for refinement. The consultant will create integrated maps of main SSF fishing grounds along the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, ensuring they capture seasonal variability, gear type distribution, and relative intensity of fishing effort. Outputs will be in formats suitable for GIS-based analyses and decision-making. Additionally, the consultant will facilitate engagement with Moroccan government agencies, presenting findings and supporting discussions on how the maps can inform spatial planning, compliance monitoring, sustainable management, and MPA design. The role also includes facilitating workshop/training sessions and disseminating results to broader stakeholders, including fishers’ associations, research institutions, and conservation organizations. The project aims to highlight opportunities for ongoing monitoring, data integration, and future research to strengthen the sustainability and management of Moroccan Mediterranean SSF.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of fisheries in the target country (Morocco).
Access to relevant fisheries datasets and stakeholders.
Ability to collaborate with government authorities.
Experience in validating and interpreting fisheries information.
Experience in developing integrated spatial products.
Experience in identifying practical applications of fisheries data to support decision-making.
Familiarity with satellite technologies, vessel tracking systems, radar and optical imagery, and advanced analytical tools.
Knowledge of small-scale fisheries, including their spatial monitoring challenges.
Ability to combine national datasets and local knowledge.
Experience in GIS-based analyses and decision-making support.
Ability to prepare clear, accessible visualizations and reports.
Experience in facilitating workshops or training sessions.
Strong communication and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Morocco.
Experience with Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) integration.
Familiarity with marine protected area (MPA) design and enforcement.
Experience in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Responsibilities

Validate GFW data with existing knowledge of Moroccan Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF).
Compare and cross-check existing SSF datasets, including Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), landing site records, vessel registries, and other national sources, against Global Fishing Watch maps derived from radar and optical vessel detections.
Assess the spatial and temporal consistency of GFW-derived fishing activity maps with locally known fishing grounds, seasonal patterns, and gear-specific activity.
Identify gaps, discrepancies, and opportunities to refine both local and GFW datasets for improved accuracy and reliability.
Create integrated maps of main SSF fishing grounds in Morocco.
Develop high-resolution spatial representations of small-scale fishing activity along the Mediterranean coast of Morocco by combining GFW potential fishing activity maps with existing SSF datasets.
Ensure that maps capture key information, including seasonal variability, gear type distribution, and relative intensity of fishing effort.
Provide outputs in formats suitable for GIS-based analyses and decision-making by government agencies and other stakeholders.
Facilitate engagement with Moroccan government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and other institutional stakeholders.
Present integrated maps and insights to relevant ministries and institutional stakeholders.
Support discussions on how these maps can inform spatial planning, compliance monitoring, sustainable management of small-scale fisheries, and marine protected area (MPA) design and enforcement.
Demonstrate the practical application of combining GFW radar and optical vessel detection data with local knowledge to enhance decision-making.
Facilitate workshop/training sessions implementation.
Disseminate results to broader stakeholders in collaboration with GFW.
Prepare clear, accessible visualizations and reports suitable for national and regional fisheries stakeholders, including fishers’ associations, research institutions, and conservation organizations.
Collaborate with GFW to present findings in workshops, meetings, or webinars, ensuring knowledge transfer and discussion of methodological approaches, limitations, and potential applications.
Highlight opportunities for ongoing monitoring, data integration, and future research to strengthen the sustainability and management of Moroccan Mediterranean SSF.