The Erongo House of Safety at Swakopmund on Friday received almost one ton of frozen fish from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources’ two regional programmes.

The Benguela Environment Fisheries Interaction and Training Programme (BENEFIT) and the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme (BCLME), as well as the Norwegian Nansen Programme, made the donation to the home for abandoned, abused, neglected and destitute children.

The fish, consisting of hake, kingklip, anglefish and sole, were caught on a recent research survey conducted on board the Norwegian vessel, the Dr Fritjof Nansen.

“The fish are in good condition and were frozen at sea after they were measured, weighed and assessed by scientists from South Africa and Namibia who took part in the cruise,” said Dr Neville Sweijd, Director of BENEFIT who organised the cruise.

According to Dr Hashali Hamukuaya, Director of the Marine Living Resources Activity Centre of the BCLME, work carried out by the Ministry’s scientists and the regional programmes was an important part of ensuring the sustainable utilisation of marine resources.

“But it is not that often that an opportunity for these research programmes to make a direct contribution to the community occur.”

Manager of the Erongo House of Safety, Alfrieda Thomas, was very grateful for the fish and expressed gratitude on behalf of the children.

Dr Ben van Zyl, head of the National Marine Information and Research Centre (NatMIRC), invited the Home Manager and children to visit the National Marine Aquarium free of charge.

HELPING HAND…One ton of frozen fish was donated to the Erongo House of Safety on Friday by two regional programmes of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. Pictured with some of the donated fish are, from left, Paulus Kalenga, volunteer at the Erongo House of Safety; Dr Ben Van Zyl, Head of the national Marine Information and Research Centre, Alfrieda Thomas, House of Safety Manager and Dr Hashali Hamukuaya, Director of the Marine Living Resources Activity Centre of the BCLME Programme.