Consultancy:- Algae Expert / Aquaculturist

This consultancy will be conducted under the project entitled: “Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan”. The project is funded by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and it is implemented in Karakalpakstan (KP) region in Uzbekistan. One of the project activities is related to the establishment of an Integrated Agri-Aquaculture Systems (IAAS) demonstration pilot for training purposes in a selected location (to be decided by the project team and local partners) that combines agriculture with aquaculture. Under this activity, a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) is required to be designed and built focusing on multi-trophic aquaculture including brine shrimp (Artemia) and algae. Hence, an algae specialist is needed for the 1^st phase of this project activity to provide his knowledge and expertise on the development and inclusion of the algae and Artemia component in IAAS directed for different uses. An Artemia species, Artemia parthenogenetica, grows naturally in the Aral Sea, hence, the local communities and experts are familiar with its occurrence. For this purpose, it is important to collect baseline information and data on the local Artemia species and algae farming in KP region and in Uzbekistan in general. This information and data will make the foundation for the large-scale analysis of Artemia and algae in KP, which, in turn, will help in designing the most suitable, cost-effective, and effective multi-trophic aquaculture system in the area, including, also, the aquaponics part. The project intends to hire the services of a well-known international consultant to do this task. The consultant (Algae specialist) will work with the technical project team (Aquaponics Consultant, ICBA’s Halophyte Scientist) and the local partners in KP to provide recommendations for the design of the Artemia and algae component as part of the aquaculture component. The consultant will also prepare a suitable design and provide the list of materials and probable costs for establishing an Artemia-algae system in the selected project sites. In addition, a synthesis report will be prepared by the consultant that will include the baseline data and information on Artemia-algae that the local communities are familiar with.