Establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee for the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has a requirement to establish a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) consisting of one to two members, to provide expert advice to Mi’kmaq Maliseet First Nations (MMFNs) and the Department with respect to the activities within Component 2.4 ? At-Sea Mentoring and In-class Training of the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI).  AICFI supports the enhancement of MMFN Commercial Fishing Enterprise (CFE) governance, management, administrative and operational structures and practices, in order to build capacity and enhance the long-term sustainability of the CFE. The objectives of AICFI are designed so that participating MMFNs will:  better use their existing access and enhance economic returns for the benefit of their communities;

increase their knowledge and skills required to manage their fisheries enterprises; complete the training to fish safely and effectively operate their vessels; and, build the capacity needed to meet their future commercial fishing operations co-management and training requirements independently.

A critical component of the program intended to help achieve these objectives includes support for professional development of MMFN CFE’s harvesting personnel. Component 2.4 of AICFI provides technical assistance to First Nations to further develop their knowledge and skills to fish safely and effectively in various fisheries. In addition, Component 2.4 also provides support in diversifying MMFN CFE harvesting activities within in-shore and mid-shore fisheries, and improving overall fishing skills particularly in the wheelhouse, through in-class training and at-sea mentoring.  The specialized nature of this work and heavy workload necessitates the involvement of outside support from a consulting firm with technical expertise and experience in the area of in-shore and mid-shore fisheries and fisheries training, as detailed in the Mandatory Requirements section of this Statement of Work. Therefore, the Department is seeking to establish TAC, consisting of one to two members, to provide technical assistance and advice to participating MMFN CFEs and the Department with respect to proposals for harvester training/mentoring activities under the AICFI program Enquiries regarding this RFP requirement are to be submitted in writing to the following: Jianna-Lee Zomer Senior Contracting Officer, Materiel and Procurement Services Department of Fisheries and Oceans Station 9W071, 200 Kent Street Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E6 Tel: (613) 993-4684 Fax: (613) 991-4545 Email: jianna-lee.zomer@dfo-mpo.gc.ca