The press communiqué of the event states that for three days everything from capture fisheries and control to cooking for kids was covered. At the end the Swedish Seafood Award presented, at the Gothenburg Opera, to ex-commissioner Joe Borg and the Namibian Fisheries Minister. It is the first time that the Swedish Seafood Award – Kungsfenan is shared between Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries emeritus, and Dr Abraham Iyambo, the Namibian Fisheries Minister.
In this auspicious occasion Joe Borg spoke about his legacy and the importance of a radical reform of Europe’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Dr Abraham Iyambo described the twenty year journey of Namibia, from apartheid, colonialism and overexploitation to well-managed fisheries run by Namibians providing jobs, food and important export revenues.
The event was start with Fish Week, a Swedish seminar on the upcoming reform of the CFP was held, where participants heard about the vision of the Swedish fishing sector, how marine and fisheries science could be improved and provide better long-term advice, plans for closer regional cooperation between Member States – called BALTFISH – and how the Baltic Sea Strategy will hopefully provide others with a good example of regional cooperation and growth.
There was focus on a different aspect of fish, with cooking competitions and an afternoon seminar on fish as food, sustainable consumption and health benefits. Up to date knowledge about the potential health benefits of fish was provided, as well persuasive arguments to get people to eat more of the plentiful herring. A Marine Stewardship Council initiative called Fish and kids was also presented to the large, enthusiastic audience.
