WINDHOEK – Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Abraham Iyambo, is the recipient of the biennial Margarita Lizarraga Medal, a recognition bestowed on him for his outstanding contribution towards the promotion of good conduct for responsible fisheries.

The fisheries minister is the first individual to receive the medal. Five recipients of the award during the past years were institutions.

The FAO Conference instituted the Margarita Lizarraga Medal in 1997. The award is a tribute to Ms Margarita Lizarraga, Senior Fishery Liaison Officer, for her decisive role and strong commitment towards fostering the promotion of the fisheries sector.

“Iyambo is the first individual to be awarded the medal … He was selected in recognition of his national, regional and international leadership with distinction in the application of the code of conduct through implementation of responsible fisheries science, policies and management …” says FAO.

The committee took cognisance of Iyambo’s contribution to the establishment of the Benguela Current Large Ecosystem Project (BCLME), the Benguela Environment Fisheries Interaction and Training Programme (BENEFIT) and the South East Atlantic Organisation (SEAFO).

“One is just happy to reflect what such an award would mean for Namibia,” said the minister, who added, “it is gratifying to know there are eyes of experts at an international level who have taken cognisance of the fisheries work in Namibia.”

The award is going to be presented to the minister at the FAO’s 36th Session scheduled for Rome, Italy in November. Iyambo took a modest approach and said all men and women in the fisheries sector deserve the medal.

The minister reiterated the recognition is “great for the industry, it is great for the ministry and it is great for the country”.

The last Margarita Lizarraga award recipient was the South-east Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC).