Building a Sustainable National Marine Protected Area Network
Pilot Demonstration 3 – Tourism and Coral Reef Health (Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL – Developing a Sustainable Tourism Model for the Exuma Cays Land
and Sea Park (ECLSP)
Title of Position: Sustainable Tourism Consultant/Expert
Contracting Agency: Bahamas National Trust
Position type: Contractual
Position Location: The Bahamas
Reports to: Bahamas National Trust
Project Timeframe: August 2012 – March 2014
Maximum Salary = $40,000 and is commensurate with experience and/ or qualifications.
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
During the Seventh Conference of the Parties (COP-7) of the Convention for Biological Diversity
(CBD), that was held in Malaysia in February 2004, the signatories reached a historical
agreement to promote the establishment and management of national systems for protected
areas. The agreement is articulated within a Program of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA)
that includes a series of specific activities that the signatories, including the Government of the
Commonwealth of The Bahamas, are committed to implementing within clearly defined time
frames.
In an effort to ensure successful implementation of the PoWPA, the Bahamas Environment,
Science, and Technology (BEST) Commission, The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), Department of
Marine Resources (DMR) and The Nature Conservancy Northern Caribbean Program (TNC NCP)
entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure in-country collaboration. Under the
NISP Agreement, these agencies have been able to successfully complete a number of
assessments including an ecological gap assessment, management effectiveness assessment,
capacity assessment and sustainable finance assessment (SFP).
A key recommendation of the SFP was the need to establish a Protected Areas Trust Fund as a
mechanism for sustained funding for the Bahamas National Protected Area System (BNPAS).
This fund was conceived as an endowment fund with the interest generated from the capital
investment being utilised for protected area projects across The Bahamas.
The Bahamas 2020 Declaration was formally presented in Bonn, Germany at the Ninth
Conference of the Parties in May 2008. The 2020 Declaration served as the Government of The
Bahamas’ confirmation of its intent to preserve the country’s marine and terrestrial
environments and to meet the targets established by the UN CBD PoWPA for 2010 and 2012.
The Government of The Bahamas also stated its intent to exceed CBD goals by effectively
conserving at least twenty percent (20%) of the near-shore marine resources across The
Bahamas by 2020. The declaration was made as part of the official launch of the Caribbean
Challenge, which represents a regional initiative to sustainably finance PA’s and ensure
effective management to enable them to function in the important role of providing a means to
achieve important goals of sustainable fisheries and ecosystem-based adaptation to climate
change.
In June 2010, The Bahamas deposited the instruments of accession to the Cartagena
Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment in the Wider
Caribbean, including two of its three protocols: the Oil Spills Protocol and the Protocol
Concerning Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities. The Cartagena Convention is the
comprehensive, umbrella agreement for the protection and development of the marine
environment in the region, and provides the only legal framework for cooperative regional and
national actions in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). Through the GEF FSP, it is envisioned
that The Bahamas will also accede to the third protocol under the Convention; the Biodiversity
Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW), which is currently under
review by Bahamian Officials.
The GEF FSP was developed to achieve The Bahamas’ goal of 20 percent conservation of the
near-shore marine resources by 2020, as well as the Caribbean Challenge goal of sustainable
fisheries and ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change. The GEF FSP will also implement a
key recommendation of the SFP, to establish the Bahamas Protected Area Fund (BPAF) as a
mechanism for sustainable funding for the BNPAS.
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) will work with its NISP Partner agencies to complete and/or
participate in Project Component(s) under the GEF FSP (see attached document).
SCOPE OF WORK
Overall Objective
The main objective of this Agreement is to successfully complete Project Component 2.4(3)
Development of a sustainable tourism model for a Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Specific Objectives
Phase I – Draft STM Development
1. Comprehensive review and evaluation of existing tourism policies and models (at least 3)
designed to promote and maintain sustainable tourism for MPAs.
2. Incorporate recommended resource thresholds from reports completed by other BNT
subcontractors (including business model and scientific research) to the model; mechanisms
for implementing thresholds must be replicable as they will be utilized across MPAs.
3. Develop a DRAFT sustainable tourism model (STM) for the ECLSP and adjacent
developments, to be utilised as a model for other MPAs in The Bahamas (potentially in the
region as well as internationally) inclusive of recommendations for:
a. Tourism management strategies including access to sensitive habitats or critical phases,
IAS control protocols and prohibition of souvenir collection.
b. Design and construction of facilities and infrastructure, including use of
green/alternative technologies that are cost-effective
c. Management of waste streams
d. Identification of options for sustainable tourism activities and livelihoods; sustainable
extractive and non-extractive uses.
e. Feedback from GEF managers, scientific team, NISP partner agencies and stakeholders
on proposed model(s)
f. Develop budgeted process map as a tool to secure additional funding for training
activities.
The Subcontractors STM model will make recommendations citing secondary research by the
scientific research team and other contractors to BNT as they relate to the “Building a
Sustainable National Network of Marine Protected Areas – The Bahamas”. The Subcontractor
will not be responsible for any generation of primary data such as but not limited to as it relates
to the scientific analysis of: biological, ecological, marine habitats etc. The Subcontractors scope
of deliverables is summarized by receiving information from other BNT Subcontractors for this
project in a timely and reasonable manner to be included in the STM.
Phase II - Training
g. Develop training protocols and materials (e.g. training manuals, Power Point
presentations, brochures, hand-outs, podcasts, etc.) that can be utilized for local
community workshops, seminars, etc.
Phase III – Final STM Development
h. Modify strategies and protocols (if necessary after completion of local community
training) to include lessons learnt and ensure the effective implementation,
management, and sustainability of the model.
i.
Produce FINAL STM incorporating lessons learnt from Phase II Training and data
gathering from Phase I.
Statement of Tasks
Phase I – Draft STM Development
1. Complete comprehensive review and evaluation of existing sustainable tourism policies and
models.
2. Produce electronic copy of workplan and methodology for completing STM.
3. Produce electronic copy of 1st draft of STM.
4. Produce electronic copy of 2nd draft of STM.
5. Produce final draft detailed written and electronic documents of developed STM for ECLSP
inclusive of recommendations for:
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Tourism management strategies including access to sensitive habitats or critical
phases, IAS control protocols and prohibition of souvenir collection.
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Design and construction of facilities and infrastructure, including use of
green/alternative technologies that are cost-effective
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Management of waste streams
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Identification of options for sustainable tourism activities and livelihoods; including
sustainable extractive and non-extractive uses
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Feedback from GEF managers, scientific team, NISP partner agencies and
stakeholders on proposed model(s)
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The Subcontractor will not be responsible for any production costs of training
materials and said materials but be considered separate to this project and this
project budget. The Subcontractor will deliver the prototype of said training
materials as determined by the Subcontractor in Phase II of the project to be
considered prototype(s) for future training material production that is outside the
scope of this contract.
6. Electronically submit quarterly progress and financial reports to the GEF FSP Project
Coordinator.
Phase II - Training
7. Prepare training materials for community workshops designed to:
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ensure and assess the effectiveness of the model
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foster relationships with local community members by assisting with education &
outreach initiatives to ensure long-term success of ECLSP
Phase III – Final STM Development
8. Submit written and electronic copies of all final progress and financial reports and final STM
(see Appendix 1 and 2) as well as all project-related documents to BNT’s GEF FSP
Coordinator.
9. With approved sufficient funds available to cover Subcontractors daily rate and expenses,
the Subcontractor will participate in final Communications Strategy Workshop to share
lessons learnt amongst stakeholders, managers and community members by March 31 st
2014.
Deliverables for BNT:
1. Written and electronic copies of workplan including methodology.
2. Written and electronic reports of comprehensive review and evaluation of sustainable
tourism policies and models.
3. Written and electronic copies of summarized report of three potential sustainable
tourism models.
4. Produce budgeted process map to secure funding for training activities and associated
travel expenses for workshops in the communities of Black Point, Farmer’s Cay and
Staniel Cay.
5. Summarized written and electronic copies of quarterly progress and financial reports.
6. Written and electronic reports of 1st draft sustainable tourism model document
including implementation strategies and monitoring protocols.
7. Written and electronic reports of 2nd draft sustainable tourism model document
including revisions from NISP agencies, implementation strategies and monitoring
protocols.
8. Electronic and hard copies of draft training materials for community workshops and
seminars.
9. Final electronic and hard copies of training materials for community workshops and
seminars.
10. Written and electronic reports of final sustainable tourism model document including
implementation strategies and monitoring protocols.
11. Develop tracking tools to assess effectiveness of the sustainable tourism model and
produce effectiveness report(s) following workshop(s).
12. Submit written and electronic copies of all final progress and financial reports and any
modifications to the final sustainable tourism model document.
13. Quarterly meetings* with GEF FSP Coordinator and BNT’s Director of Science and Policy
to evaluate status of project and assist with organization and planning of training
seminars.
14. Participate in final Communications Strategy Workshop to share lessons learnt amongst
stakeholders, managers and community members by March 31st 2014.
Project Site:
The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP) was created in 1958. This 176 square mile park was
the first of its kind in the world and is famous for its pristine beauty, outstanding anchorages,
and breathtaking marine environment. ECLSP was the first marine fishery reserve established in
the Caribbean and has been documented to support significantly higher populations of marine
life, including commercially and ecologically important species. The Park is also a breeding and
nesting area for several species of birds iguanas and sea turtles; home to stromatolites (oldest
living evidence of life on earth dating back 3.5 billion years); and supports the only endemic
terrestrial mammal to the Bahamas – the Hutia. ECLSP’s boundaries extend from Little Wax Cay
in the North to Conch Cut in the South.
1. Qualifications, Experience and Qualities Required:
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Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management, Sustainable Tourism,
Environmental Science, Business Administration and/ or other related fields
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in developing and implementing successful tourism
models
Understanding of Marine Protected Area Management
Possess excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, communication and
management skills
Skilled in detail technical reporting
Proven track record of producing reports, deliverables, etc. on time
Experience in GIS mapping (bonus)
Ability to work independently and in remote locations
Willingness to travel frequently within the Bahamas (Exuma Cays and New Providence)
Required Proposal Format:
The proposal must contain a (1) detailed technical section and (2) a project budget to complete
work.
Technical Proposal:
In the technical section, the applicant must detail project objectives, proposed methodology,
anticipated results/outputs, and timeline showing expected dates for completion of various
project activities.
Project Budget:
The budget should include projected expenses including personnel, travel, equipment, supplies
and other.
Request for References
Two references must be submitted to the Bahamas National Trust
Official Language
For all purposes, including communications, proposal submission, etc., the official language is
English.
Submit Proposal and Associated Documents To:
Krista Sherman (GEF FSP Coordinator)
Bahamas National Trust
Science & Policy Division
P.O. Box N-4105
Village Road
Nassau, Bahamas
Email: [email protected]
For Additional Information or Clarification, Contact:
Krista Sherman (GEF FSP Coordinator)
Bahamas National Trust
P.O. Box N-4105
Nassau, Bahamas
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (242) 393-1317
Fax: (242) 393-4978
Deadline to submit proposals - July 31, 2012.