Expert consulting

A new wave of multi-disciplinary expertise, and professionalism

Our Services

ITACA combines multi-disciplinary expertise, hands-on experience, highly-analytical skills and an extensive network of experts that live, work and understand coastal areas in the Caribbean. We are focused in 3 key thematic areas critical to the Region’s resilience: Blue Economy, Food Security and Nature-based Solutions.

Blue Economy

Development of

A community-based outgrower regime for a sea cucumber hatchery in Panama

Expert Consulting

A new wave of multi-disciplinary expertise, and professionalism

Project: Support the development of the first commercial sea cucumber hatchery of the Americas

Objectives
Key activities
Project Outputs

To pilot an inclusive aquaculture model for raising sea cucumber on the Panamanian Caribbean Coast to demonstrate the adaptability of the species in that geographical marine ecosystem and determine its scalability according to technical, environmental, and economic considerations

Develop a community-based out grower regime for the cultivation of sea cucumbers in the coastal areas of Puerto Lindo, Panama
Develop a corporate sustainability strategy for the company, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Terms and Conditions for Subcontracting Regime with the community
Construction of two practice plots for sea cucumber cultivation
Knowledge products: 3 training videos and 3 infographics
Sustainability strategy, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Client

Expert consulting Itaca service opt Panaseal global

Our Impact

Community and staff trained for roles defined by the Outgrower Regime Plan developed
Increased corporate understanding of the SDGs and clear roadmap to strengthening the sustainability performance of the company

11 people trained

Men

Women

Support to

The Government of Jamaica in mainstreaming climate sensitivities of the aquaculture sector into sector strategies

Expert Consulting

A new wave of multi-disciplinary expertise, and professionalism

Project: Assessment of the Aquaculture Value Chain Incorporating Sensitivity to Climate Change

Objectives
Key activities
Project outputs

Assess two aquaculture value chains in Jamaica using a climate sensitive network approach
Assess the plans and programmes from the National Fisheries Authority and their potential impact on the development of the aquaculture value chain

Development of a theoretical and methodological framework for undertaking climate sensitive value chain vulnerability assessments and application of the framework to two value chains: tilapia and ornamental fish
Examination of existing plans and programmes implemented by the National Fisheries Authority
Stakeholder interviews and workshop facilitation

Terms and Conditions for Subcontracting Regime with the community
Construction of two practice plots for sea cucumber cultivation
Knowledge products: 3 training videos and 3 infographics
Sustainability strategy, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Client

Coastal environmental monitoring protocol in Puerto Lindo Colon Panama b

Coastal environmental monitoring protocol in Puerto Lindo Colon Panama a

Our Impact

68 interested stakeholders attended the workshops and learned about the potential impacts of climate change in the aquaculture sector

Ornamental fish industry

The tilapia industry

Nature-based solutions

Development and implementation of

Coastal environmental monitoring protocol in Puerto Lindo, Colón, Panamá

Expert Consulting

A new wave of multi-disciplinary expertise, and professionalism

Project: Development and implementation of coastal environmental monitoring protocol in Puerto Lindo, Colón, Panamá

Objectives
Key activities
Key Outcomes

Build and refine a monitoring protocol in order to:

Identify threats to coastal-marine ecosystems
Develop baselines to measure the effectiveness of interventions
Identify and prioritize requirements for future initiatives
Determine effectiveness of implemented activities
Maintain consistent records to compare conditions over time

Rotational site visits: 11 areas, 27 transects,
Area covered: 11,8 acres.
Collection of biotic and abiotic data
Collection of soil samples
Data processing and analysis

Identification of most suitable areas for sea cucumber ranching
Development of local skills to support sea cucumber production and population monitoring
One year baseline of coastal environmental conditions in Puerto Lindo

Client

Coastal environmental monitoring protocol in Puerto Lindo Colon Panama

Our Impact

Develop with the community a better understanding of causes and environmental degradation effects
Support citizen education
Evaluate the effectiveness of new practices
Gained knowledge about relevant coastal-marine areas
Identified most suitable areas for sea cucumber farming

People trained on the different components of monitoring activities

Building a

Community-based integrated climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategy for Providence Island, Colombia

Expert Consulting

A new wave of multi-disciplinary expertise, and professionalism

Project: Building a community-based integrated climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategy for Providence Island, Colombia

Objectives
Key activities
Key Outcomes

Objective 1: To strengthen community’s understanding of their exposure and vulnerability to climate change, in particular to extreme weather events such as hurricanes and droughts.
Objective 2: Facilitate the development of a community-based climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategy.
Objective 3: Enable and empower women to improve their climate resilience and realize their rights while protecting the ecosystems on which they depend.
Objective 4: Knowledge exchange with other islands in the Caribbean (Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago and Dominica)

Engagement and training of 7 local members of staff
Participatory mapping sessions (12)
Facilitation of stakeholder dialogues for the identification and prioritization of risk reduction and adaptation measures per sector (12)

Raised awareness on climate risks and vulnerabilities for the island
Digitized climate hazards maps of the island, drawing on local knowledge, to be used in decision making processes
Ecosystem-based adaptation solutions identified and prioritized for each sector and for each thematic area
Community based adaptation and disaster risk reduction roadmaps.

Client

Community based integrated climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategy for Providence Island Colombia 2

Community based integrated climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategy for Providence Island Colombia

Our Impact

Local community members engaged through facilitated workshops

People from the community trained and hired to help carrying out Project activities

Integrated disaster risk reduction and adaptation plans (one for each geographic area of the island)

Technical Assistance

For the Development of a Climate Risk Vulnerability Study in the Gulf of Montijo.

Expert Consulting

A new wave of multi-disciplinary expertise, and professionalism

Project: Technical Assistance for the Development of a Climate Risk Vulnerability Study in the Gulf of Montijo.

Objectives
Key activities
Project Outputs

To analyze the climate risks associated with marine dynamics and impacts due to sea-level rise, as well as to formulate adaptation measures for communities located in the Gulf of Montijo in Panama, and to create a national working team in this field.

Analyze the climate risks associated with sea-level rise for local communities considering coastal dynamics and erosion, comparing two scenarios: one of natural geomorphological processes and another of geomorphological processes that include anthropogenic processes.
Develop an action plan for implementing climate change adaptation measures for the Gulf of Montijo, using the National Adaptation Plan and previous studies on vulnerability to sea-level rise as references.
Build a robust national team that involves the community at all stages and accompanies the consulting team throughout the feasibility study process, using the “learning-by-doing” methodology.

Coastal dynamics map for the years 2012 to 2022.
Sea-level rise map by 2050 for the Gulf of Montijo area.
Risk and vulnerability analysis associated with sea-level rise in the Gulf of Montijo.
Conservation status and restoration potential of existing mangroves in the Ramsar wetland area of the Gulf of Montijo.
Promotion plan for ecosystem restoration activities in the Ramsar wetland area of the Gulf of Montijo.
Community monitoring and follow-up measures plan for the conservation and restoration of mangroves in the Ramsar wetland area of the Gulf of Montijo
Participatory diagnosis of potential economic practices for the sustainable use of mangroves in the Ramsar wetland area of the Gulf of Montijo
Proposal for a local community economic development plan for communities most affected by the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Client

Our Impact

25 people from the community engaged in mangrove restoration planning

+94 hectares covered in the Project.

Food Security

Strengthen

Agro-productive and fishing value chains on the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia

Expert Consulting

A new wave of multi-disciplinary expertise, and professionalism

Project: Strengthen agro-productive and fishing value chains on the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia

Objectives
Key activities
Key Outcomes

Execute a multivariable diagnosis of the situational status of each of the participating associations, using a self-assessment tool in which different institutional, social, environmental and economic aspects are evaluated, as well as undertaking a SWOT analysis and Business Canvas construction for each of the associations

Carry out seven (7) workshops with the associations identified in the diagnosis stage, whose purpose is to formulate the Objectives and Goals of the Strengthening Program in a participatory manner
Two (2) 3 hour workshop were aimed at organizations / cooperatives in the fishing sector; two (2) three hour workshops were aimed at agricultural associations; three (3) two hour lunch meetings were held with members of iFish Association for the development of a business plan for fish value added products

9 diagnostic reports (4 for fishing associations and 5 for agricultural associations) each comprising:
– a sustainability performance analysis (economic, social, environmental)
– a business canvas analysis
– a SWOT analysis
– key priority areas for organizational strenghtening

Client

Secretaría de Agricultura y Pesca, Municipio de Providencia, Colombia

Gobernacion del archipielago de san andres providencia y santa catalina opt

Expert consulting itacas service caribbean island opt

Expert consulting itacas service caribbean island opt 2

Play Video about teleislas screenshoot

Our Impact

Local community members engaged through facilitated workshops

People attended the workshops

Local associations: 4 fishing associations and 5 farming associations

Hours of workshop and facilitated discussions

Direct beneficiaries (association affiliates)

Expert consulting

Our Services

Blue Economy

Development of

11 people trained

Support to

68 interested stakeholders attended the workshops and learned about the potential impacts of climate change in the aquaculture sector

Nature-based solutions

Development and implementation of

Building a

Local community members engaged through facilitated workshops

Technical Assistance

Food Security

Strengthen

Local community members engaged through facilitated workshops

About us

What we do

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