Request for Proposal (RFP) - Technology and Data Integration to Strengthen Fisheries Monitoring and Marine Protected Area Management in Montenegro

GLOBAL, application closes July 15 2026

About the Company

Global Fishing Watch is an international, non-profit organization committed to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency. We create and publicly share knowledge about human activity at sea to enable fair and sustainable use of our ocean. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, GFW became an independent non-profit organization in June 2017. Using cutting-edge technology, we create and publicly share map visualizations, data, and analysis tools to enable scientific research and drive a transformation in how we manage our ocean. By 2030, we aim to monitor and visualize the impact of ocean-going vessels, both industrial and small-scale, that are responsible for the vast majority of the global seafood catch. We believe human activity at sea should be common knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean commons for the common good of all.

Global Fishing Watch is working to enhance fisheries management by promoting transparency, building analytical capacity, and fostering regional collaboration. Through open data, satellite technology, and partnerships with governments and stakeholders, we aim to equip decision makers with the tools needed to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, support small-scale fishers, and improve marine conservation. Our program focuses on sharing insights, capacity development and the integration of advanced monitoring and evaluation techniques to drive evidence based policy and sustainable ocean governance.

Within our global strategy, the biodiversity pillar and our regional work in the Mediterranean focus on supporting evidence-based decision making for marine conservation measures, including fisheries management measures, marine protected areas (MPAs), and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).

Context

Montenegro is subject to obligations under European Union accession requirements, the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) alignment process, and regional fisheries management frameworks including the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). As Montenegro's EU accession negotiations on Chapter 13 (Fisheries) provisionally closed in 2025, effective monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) is central to these commitments in achieving sustainable fisheries as well as biodiversity protection. The EU accession process further drives environmental governance, including the preparation of its Natura 2000 network under the Birds and Habitats Directives. Under this, Montenegro is engaging in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation as well as strengthening management and monitoring of current protected areas.

Regarding MCS, Montenegro has a VMS system with the aim of monitoring fishing activities and its sustainable management. All vessels longer than 10 m must have an installed and functional VMS device. Supervision of the VMS system in Montenegro is carried out by the MAFWM/DfF, the Maritime Safety Administration and authorized inspection services. It is a key system of the Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC) which operates 24/7, integrating data into the "Fisheries Information System of Montenegro" (FIS) web application.

Ensuring that MCS and MPA enforcement mechanisms are underpinned by best-available data and practices is a priority to ensure compliance. To this end, Montenegro and Global Fishing Watch (GFW) have a cooperation, underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for data sharing and capacity development, to facilitate the operationalisation of national legislation and regional commitments into on-the-ground implementation. As part of the MoU, GFW is currently working directly with the relevant Montenegrin authorities to facilitate the integration of VMS data and interoperability between the FIS and the GFW platform. This consultancy is intended to complement and build on that process.

Objectives

The consultancy is to follow the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and ensure implementation. Building on GFW's existing analysis of Montenegro's MCS operations - including VMS and AIS data, vessel track analysis, and the current technical process for VMS data transfer according to the MoU, this objective focuses on deepening the integration and adoption of GFW tools into MCS and MPA practices.

Objective 1 – Technology integration in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS):

1. Evaluate where in MCS operating procedures GFW tools can provide the most operational value, and identify how existing official procedures can be improved through integration of GFW technologies. Specifically identifying which Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or equivalent processes are in place for MCS, identifying gaps and recommending specific points where GFW tools and expertise can be embedded as procedural steps for deployment and operational use.
   The assessment should include a practical workflow analysis, identifying where GFW tools can contribute to detection, prioritization, investigation and enforcement actions within existing MCS processes. Recommendations should clearly identify operational users, required inputs, expected outputs and anticipated benefits.
2. Map additional institutional entry points for GFW tool adoption within Montenegro's broader MCS ecosystem, including an assessment of relevant agencies, institutional mandates, decision-making processes, existing technological capacities, operational challenges for Montenegro, operational opportunities for GFW including implementation constraints and enabling factors.

Objective 2 – Supporting the integration of monitoring information into routine management, designation, and monitoring of MPAs:

1. Assess how technology is currently embedded in Montenegro's MPA management, designation, and monitoring, identifying gaps and recommend specific entry points where GFW tools and expertise can be embedded as SOPs (as described in Objective 1.1) aimed at strengthening MPA management tools in practice.
2. Review which technological platforms are currently in use or planned for adoption, including an assessment of their challenges, strengths, limitations, and how actively MPA departments and managers are using them for specific tasks.
3. Assess whether GIS is in use and for which specific management or monitoring functions and which of these datasets or outputs can be uploaded to the GFW platform.
4. Provide evidence-based recommendations to both the responsible Montenegrin authorities and GFW regarding the enhanced use of technology and data in protected area management. Recommendations should include prioritization, estimated implementation effort, institutional ownership, capacity-building needs and expected management outcomes.

Objective 3 - Workshop support on Buna River

1. Support the preparation and facilitation of a series of in-country workshops in Montenegro, including written input to concept notes, agendas and discussion materials. The consultant should identify opportunities for GFW technologies and data to support practical management and enforcement outcomes. GFW plans to host two workshops in Q3–Q4 2026: one focused on MCS and MPA training, and a second exploring a potential MPA designation for the Buna River area.

Deliverables

The consultant is required to deliver the following products:

• Workplan of the consultancy: Submission of a brief workplan detailing the proposed activities, the methodological approach, and a timeline for the consultancy deliverables.
• Draft report:
  • MCS technology integration: Chapters addressing all points under Objective 1, including: an assessment of MCS operating procedures and SOPs identifying gaps and GFW integration opportunities; an institutional mapping of additional entry points for GFW tool adoption across MCS landscape.
  • MPA technology integration: Chapters addressing all points under Objective 2, including: an assessment of how technology is currently embedded in Montenegro's MPA management, designation, and monitoring; GIS review; an assessment of whether SOPs or equivalent processes are in place for MPA management, identifying gaps and recommending specific points where GFW tools can be embedded as procedural steps in daily operations.
  • Practical recommendations identifying specific tasks and processes where (GFW) technology can enhance MCS and MPA management, with a focus on time and resource efficiency. The recommendations are to be categorised by implementation effort: quick wins requiring minimal change, moderate efforts requiring some refinement or additional data, and longer-term proposals requiring more significant structural or strategic investment.
  • For both MCS and MPA workstreams, a structured annex or standalone section documenting the current SOP landscape, identified gaps, and a prioritised set of GFW integration points.
• Final report: delivered after the consultant has successfully reviewed the draft report and incorporated all necessary recommendations and suggestions from GFW. The final report should provide a practical roadmap for the integration of GFW technologies and data into Montenegro's MCS and MPA management systems, including prioritized recommendations, implementation steps, institutional responsibilities and indicative timelines, including revised or draft SOP recommendations.
• Presentation of findings: Preparation and delivery of an online presentation to GFW summarizing key findings, recommendations and priority actions.
• Workshop support: provide recommendations to GFW on concept development.

Qualifications requirements

• Academic or professional qualification in fisheries science, marine biology, environmental science, or related discipline.
• Knowledge of technological platforms and data for marine management and conservation of MPAs and Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs).
• Knowledge of procedures for fisheries monitoring, MPA management, or equivalent regulatory contexts.
• Demonstrated experience conducting institutional assessments, governance reviews, or operational analyses related to fisheries monitoring, marine conservation, or protected area management.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder workshops and engaging with government authorities in the Mediterranean or European context.
• Knowledge of EU CFP, GFCM frameworks, and regulatory landscape.
• Experience working with international organizations in fisheries or marine management projects.

Submission requirements

Interested individuals should submit a proposal including a detailed plan and budget. The proposal should consist of:

• A cover letter explaining the provider’s interest and qualification for the consultancy including a description of previous experience with the types of work proposed in the RFP.
• A narrative proposal outlining how the provider intends to fulfil the responsibilities outlined in the previous section.
• A descriptive budget outlining the total cost of fulfilling the terms of the RFP.
• A proposed timeline for completing the consultancy.

Submission deadline

Proposals should be submitted by July 15 2026

Equal Opportunities: Global Fishing Watch is an equal opportunities employer. Global Fishing Watch is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and in the greater ocean management and conservation community. We believe that diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger organization. Bringing together professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives will enable us to reach our goal of improved ocean governance faster. We hire and promote qualified professionals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organizational goals match the urgent challenges facing our global ocean, and our mission is designed to help secure a healthy ocean for all. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of humanity’s diversity, by providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees of Global Fishing Watch and for our partners, vendors, suppliers and contractors.