The WWF Caucasus Programme Office is inviting qualified consultants to submit proposals for provision of Consultancy Service, particularly for conducting a rapid feasibility assessment of the opportunities for expanding sturgeon spawning environment by habitat restoration and/or creating artificial spawning grounds on the Rioni River. The proposal shall be submitted to the following mail: procurement@wwfcaucasus.org
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The status of sturgeon species has become highly critical without showing signs of recovery. The conservation of sturgeon species needs a comprehensive and integrated approach and mobilization of all key stakeholders from the related governmental, non-governmental, scientific and business sectors as well as local communities including fishermen. The threats/factors adversely affecting sturgeon populations include illegal fishing, changes in rivers` natural hydrological regime, destruction and loss of key habitats, blocking of migration routes, low water quality and hybridization.
Six species of sturgeon used to be widespread in Georgia: Colchic sturgeon (Acipenser persicus colchicus), Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedtii), Ship sturgeon (A. nudiventris), Stellate sturgeon (A. stellatus), European/Atlantic sturgeon (A. sturio), and Beluga (Huso huso). All species of sturgeon native to Georgia are listed as Critically Endangered globally by the IUCN Red List and they are also included in the National Red List of Georgia. The Rioni is the last remaining sturgeon spawning river in Georgia and on the eastern side of the Black Sea that makes the Rioni River a global hotspot of critical importance for the survival and conservation of sturgeon.
The sturgeon populations have been dramatically reduced in Georgia and their habitat has been substantially destructed and disappeared over time. Currently, only nine-kilometer section of the Rioni River is left where sturgeons can still spawn. The project on Strengthening Sturgeon Conservation in Georgia is implemented by WWF Caucasus in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and through the financial support of WWF Switzerland.One of the activities of the project is to assess feasibility for the improvement/to expand the spawning environment for sturgeons on the Rioni River. The project targets two areas for conducting the rapid assessment on feasibility of habitat restoration and creating artificial spawning grounds for sturgeon species.
Study area 1: Sturgeon’s historical spawning grounds – to assess its potential for restoration.
Study area 2: Artificial channel of Vartsikhe HPPs – to assess potential of creating artificial spawning grounds.
Detailed information about the Tender Instructions and Scope of Services is provided in the attached Tender Documentation.
Tender Package Consists of: Tender Rules and Instructions and the Terms of Reference.
The proposal submission deadline is: 20 May, 2023.
The proposal shall be submitted to the following mail: procurement@wwfcaucasus.org
