Request for Proposal (RFP) - National & Regional Transparency

Background:

Global Fishing Watch is an international nonprofit organization committed to advancing ocean sustainability and stewardship through increasing transparency. We do this by offering, for free, data and near real-time tracking of global commercial fishing activity, supporting new science and research, and boosting global cooperation on ocean transparency.

Purpose and Objectives:

Global Fishing Watch’s goals are founded on the principle of transparency — the act of making specific ocean and vessel data, as well as the policies and decisions that surround them, available and accessible to those that need them.

Without an overall picture of our activity at sea, we cannot truly understand the impact humans have on life below water. Consistent, standardized and transparent data provides decision makers with the information they need to ensure rules are followed, policies are fit for purpose and conclusions are based on science. It also enables the use of automated technologies to highlight potential areas of interest that should be investigated further by ocean managers. 

Global Fishing Watch advocates for the collection, use and publication of key fisheries and ocean data in line with the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. We’re currently focused on supporting governments and other stakeholders to use transparent data in their efforts to monitor, control and survey industrial fisheries, map and understand the activities of small-scale fishers to better protect them and their fishing grounds from industrial fleets and better design and enforce marine protected areas. 

As part of its efforts, Global Fishing Watch is seeking applications from key civil society organizations (CSOs) working in our priority geographies to accelerate efforts to increase transparency in ocean governance. CSOs may propose activities that:

1. Make key fisheries and ocean data publicly available.
2. Amend policies such as regulations, orders, operating procedures, etc., to require the collection, use and publication of key fisheries and ocean data.
3. Promote and demonstrate the benefits of a transparent ocean governance system with governments, industry and other relevant stakeholders. 

The tactics to deliver these activities may include the development of educational, position, research and best practice papers, drafting of case studies, facilitation of dialogues with key stakeholders, awareness raising and advocacy. 

Scope of Engagement:

The Transparency Subgrantee will be responsible for delivering the above activities throughout 2025. Proposals should include the suggested activities, timelines and related stakeholders. Proposals should outline how the activities delivered will increase transparency in ocean governance nationally in one or more of the following priority geographies:

1. Africa: Gabon, Madagascar, Senegal. 
2. Asia: Taiwan and Viet Nam. 
3. Europe/ Mediterranean: Albania, Montenegro, Morocco. 
4. Latin America: Brazil, Chile, Panama, Peru. 
5. Pacific: The Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea. 

Activities that advance transparency efforts regionally will also be considered, as long as the above priority geographies remain a focus. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Subgrantees will be directly responsible for delivering the Scope of Engagement. Global Fishing Watch  will provide the Subgrantees with relevant input, including information materials if helpful. In addition, Global Fishing Watch’s leadership team will coordinate with the Subgrantee to ensure that the Scope of Engagement will contribute to the expectations of and fulfilment of Global Fishing Watch’s objectives and goals. 

Quality Assurance:

The Subgrantees will be responsible for ensuring that the process and outputs covered under the Scope of Engagement is rigorous, reliable, and credible. This will include developing appropriate data collection and validation methods and tools, ensuring that data is collected and analyzed in a consistent and transparent manner, and using appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis techniques.

Ethics and Confidentiality:

The Subgrantees will be required to adhere to Global Fishing Watch’s ethical standards and ensure that all data collection and analysis activities are conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality and privacy of Global Fishing Watch’s  partners’ data where necessary.

Timeline and Budget:

Below is the timeline for this Subgrantee engagement:

• July 2025: Exploratory meetings & finalization of scope of engagement
• August - December 2025: Engagement and delivery of activities
• January - March 2026: Development of an end-of-year report and associated briefings to Global Fishing Watch

The Subgrantee will be responsible for developing a detailed timeline and budget breakdown that clearly identifies the resources required and expected outputs for each activity. The Subgrantees will work with the Global Fishing Watch’s Program Delivery Team to ensure that the Scope of Engagement is completed on time and within budget. 

Budget: Global Fishing Watch has a total of USD 100,000 that will be distributed across successful CSOs. Payment will be made upon receipt of satisfactory invoices. 

Global Fishing Watch Point of Contact:

Em Badoy, Senior Manager, Strategy and Execution, Global Programs. 

Application deadline: 27 June 2025.