Job Details

Job Description

Project Title: Fisheries Management Plan for Sustainable Development in Bangweulu Wetlands
Component: Fisheries Management Plan (FMP)
Duration:  3 Months
Budget Allocation:
Location: Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia
Lead Implementer: African Parks
Partners: Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Department of Fisheries, Community Resource Boards (CRBs), Fisheries Management Committees (FMCs), Local Councils, NGOs, CBOs

1. Background

The Bangweulu Wetlands are a globally significant ecological system which forms part of the Bangweulu basin and falls within five districts and six chiefdoms. The Wetlands covers part of the Bangweulu Game Management Area comprising permanent swamps and floodplain grasslands supporting several  species of wildlife and fish providing livelihood and food security to nearly 50,000 people. Despite a still-functioning hydrological regime, the wetlands are increasingly threatened by overfishing, illegal fishing methods, and governance weaknesses. Over the past decade, fish stocks have declined by approximately 40%, primarily due to unsustainable practices and insufficient regulation. A robust, community-informed Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) aligned with Zambia’s Fisheries Act is essential to restoring fish populations, safeguarding aquatic biodiversity, and supporting local livelihoods.

2. Objectives

• To develop and implement a comprehensive, participatory Fisheries Management Plan that is aligned with national legislation and responsive to the realities on the ground.
• To promote sustainable fishing practices, including adherence to closed seasons and gear regulations.
• To facilitate creation of governance structures in the target areas.
• To enhance governance structures through the integration and support of Fishery Management Committees and Community Resource Boards.
• To establish a reliable fishery monitoring framework based on data such as catch per unit effort (CPUE), species diversity, and total yield.
• To ensure the fishery is managed in harmony with the ecological functions of water systems and traditional water control structures.

3. Scope of Work

Planning and Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate a minimum of three inclusive meetings with the Department of Fisheries and community leaders and other stakeholders, ensuring Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes are followed.
• Coordinate planning sessions with Chiefs, CRBs, Fisheries Management Committees, and District Fisheries Officers across all six chiefdoms.
• Align the FMP with the Zambia Fisheries Act and integrate lessons from previous management efforts.
• Facilitate development of resource beneficiation scheme that would rein in the interests of various resource user on the landscape (fisher communities, CRBs, etc)

Data Collection and Monitoring

• Support the mapping of major and minor fish landing sites, and profiling their permanence in space and time.
• Monitor catch and yield through data collection at fishery exit points and key landing sites.
• Deploy Survey123 tools for standardized data reporting and train eco-monitors in data collection and community outreach.

Fishery Governance and Regulation

• Support capacity building of Fishery Management Committees and  developing a governance training manual.
• Integrate fisheries governance within the existing CRB structure to foster co-management.
• Map all existing fish weirs using GPS technology and ensure no new weirs are constructed in ecologically sensitive areas.
• Implement community-led  enforcement and adherence to seasonal fish bans and the use of sustainable fishing gear.

Hydrology and Water Quality Integration

• Establishment of long-term limnological monitoring protocol for Lake Bangweulu
• Establishment of length-based stock assessment monitoring system for species of economic importance
• Monitor water turbidity and quality in collaboration with partners (e.g., WBF), with sampling conducted quarterly.
• Install water depth markers at key hydrological monitoring points (e.g., Chikuni).
• Assess the impact of fish weirs on hydrology and engage district councils regarding Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for any proposed dredging.

4. Key Deliverables

• A finalized and community-validated Fisheries Management Plan, co-developed with government and community stakeholders
• Updated map showing the distribution of fishing households on the landscape.
• Comprehensive baseline report including CPUE, species diversity, yield, and governance assessment.
• Resource management manuals dealing with governance, conservation, enforcement , climate change, etc
• Updated fish species inventory for the fishery (including all major tributaries and fish breeding areas)
• Digital data tools (e.g., Survey123 forms) operational and eco-monitors trained and deployed.
• GPS-mapped inventory of existing fish weirs and annual updates.
• Established fishery monitoring checkpoints at key fish exit locations.
• Fishery Management Committees trained with governance manual distributed.

5. Required Qualifications
Lead Consultant / Team Must Have:

• A Master’s degree or higher in Fisheries Science, Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management or related fields.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in fisheries management, natural resource governance, or ecosystem-based planning.
• Familiarity with Zambia’s Fisheries Act and fishery governance landscape.
• Demonstrated success in participatory rural planning, especially in wetland or freshwater systems.
• Technical experience in data collection (CPUE, yield analysis), GIS mapping, and digital monitoring tools.
• Experience in integrating fisheries with hydrological and conservation planning is highly desirable.

6. Monitoring & Evaluation Framework

• Fishery Health Indicators: CPUE trends, species richness, total yield (quarterly monitoring)
• Compliance Monitoring: Seasonal ban adherence, gear use compliance, enforcement actions.
• Governance Indicators: FMC functionality, community participation, and conflict resolution mechanisms.
• Hydrological Health: Water quality metrics, flow monitoring (quarterly sampling), EIA engagement.
• Participatory assessments with eco-monitors and community representatives.

7. Risks and Mitigation Measures
Risk

Mitigation Strategy
Community apathy or resistance to new rules
Implement FPIC and continuous stakeholder engagement, provide livelihood alternatives.
Data inconsistency or lack of baseline
Deploy trained eco-monitors and digital tools to ensure standardized data collection.
Weak enforcement or overlap in governance
Integrate CRBs and FMCs, define roles, and strengthen capacity through training.
Hydrological disruption by human structures
Monitor weirs annually, prevent construction in sensitive areas, collaborate on EIAs.

Dead Line for submission: 17th June, 2025

Submission email: [email protected]