| PARTIES TO THE NAURU AGREEMENT OFFICE EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST PNA Observer Agency |
| The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (The Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu) was established in 1982 to coordinate and manage the tuna stocks in their EEZs. The PNA waters account for 70% of the skipjack catches in the Western and Central Pacific and 50% of global skipjack catches. In 2008, the PNA introduced a 3 months FAD closure, 100% retention of all species of tuna and 100% observer coverage of all purse seine vessels operating in PNA waters. The PNA also developed the Federated States of Micronesia Arrangement for Regional Access (FSM Arrangement). The FSMA Arrangement provides preferential reciprocal access for purse seine vessels that are domestically based in PNA. The Regional Observer Programme for the FSMA has to date been administered by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). It is intended that the PNA will establish a PNA Observer Agency to be outsourced to a commercial observer service provider. The intention is for the PNA Observer Agency to run the FSMA Regional Observer Programme, coordinate and manage FSMA observers in the PNA region and provide a focal point between the National Observer Programmes in the PNA, the FSMA Regional Observer Programme, and the WCPFC ROP. Subject to the success it is anticipated the scheme could evolve to assist national programmes and other regional initiatives. Expressions of interest are invited from Corporations, Individuals, International and Regional Organizations to administer the PNA Observer Agency. Interested applicants must as a minimum in their expression of interest: • indicate their qualification, and corporate structure; • describe relevant past and present experience in providing Observer Services, ideally in the tuna fisheries; • indicate how they propose to administer the FSMA Observer Programme; • indicate how they would provide an integrated Observer management and Placement programme incorporating the national and regional observer programmes • provide an indication of the costs of their services Expressions of Interest should be addressed to: Dr. Transform Aqorau Chief Executive Officer PNA Office PO Box 3992 Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960 transform@pnatuna.com Expressions of Interest should be delivered by close of business on Monday 6 August 2012. |