The award was given in recognition of the FAO's role in the development of aquaculture and fisheries in the Asian-Pacific region and its active support to AFS activities.
The president of the AFS presented FAO with the medal during the Opening Ceremony of the ninth Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum of the AFS, which was hosted by the Shanghai Ocean University in Shanghai, China last April.
Dr Matthias Halwart, FAO Senior Aquaculture Officer, accepted the award on behalf of the Department.
Mr Halwart commented: “It is very rewarding to see the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department’s efforts for the Asia-Pacific Region and beyond recognized with this Gold Medal. The triennial forum especially provides an excellent opportunity to liaise with leading aquaculture and fisheries scientists and key commercial stakeholders from all over the world to flag and discuss important issues pertaining to sustainable aquatic resource production and management.”
FAO’s important contributions include the organisation of an FAO Special Session on Cage Aquaculture at the AFS Second International Symposium on Cage Aquaculture in Asia in Hangzhou, China, in July 2006.
In addition, FAO Fisheries staff members often provide their expertise as Organising Committee members or Session Chairs for AFS symposia in subject areas like aquatic biodiversity and aquatic genetic resources, culture-based fisheries, and aquatic animal health.
FAO Receive AFS Gold Medal
GLOBAL - The Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) has awarded the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of the United Nations (UN) with the Gold Medal Award.
