SWAKOPMUND: The Erongo Region will be hosting the first National Fish Consumption Day (NFCD) in Namibia on 8 September 2012.

This was announced by the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Bernard Esau, at a press conference here on Monday.

He stated that the main purpose of the NFCD is to inform the nation about the new promotion and will introduce the day annually countrywide.

“The objectives of the trust are to continuously promote fish consumption; teach people how to properly prepare a variety of fish dishes; increase consumer education and existence of consumption; teach nation about fish species and create awareness of trusts and entire fishing sector,” he said.

The NFCD is an initiative by the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) and fully supported by the MFMR with its main aim being to educate the public about fish consumption.

The Minister continued to say that the consumption day will take place in different regions each year with Erongo Region being the starting point. The next region which will host the day will only be determined after a lucky draw to be held in September.

Currently the plans for the day, includes the start off with a coastal road show from 28 August until 7 September, followed by a gala dinner. The road show will be visiting seven towns in the region namely Arandis, Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Omaruru, Usakos, Walvis Bay and Uis.

Villages in the rural areas will also be part of the road show. We want to cultivate a culture of knowing our fish and eating our fish.

On the NFCD, a national fish will also be announced which forms part of the education campaign. This will give the public a chance to be part of the decision making. “This will also allow people to identify the day with the specific fish chosen. In addition, whenever there will be a national fishing event the national specie will be promoted,” Esau mentioned.

The 3 species the public can chose from are Kabeljou, Steenbra and Horsemackerel, whereby the fish which receives the most votes, will be crowned the national fish for the annual campaign.

NFCPT will establish a poll which will allow the public to vote for a national fish specie. “A poll will be launched next week with regards to the voting of the fish and the closing day still to be determined in due time,” the Minister announced.

The Deputy Chairman of the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT), Mathew Amadhila, also exclaimed that, every year the crayfish festival is hosted and a new fish festival was introduced this year. “The board members and management approached the Minister to host the event which mission is to promote and consume fish to the nation,” he said.

Furthermore, all the proceeds collected from the gala dinner will be used to support a charity institution or a school in the region, according to the Minister.

(edited)SWAKOPMUND, 30 JUL (NAMPA) – The Erongo Region will host the first-ever National Fish Consumption Day (NFCD) on 08 September this year.

This was announced by the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Bernard Esau during a media briefing here on Monday.

He said the main purpose of the NFCD is to inform the nation about the new promotion of the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT), and this will become an annual event countrywide.

The NFCD is an initiative of the NFCPT, and is fully-supported by the MFMR.

The objectives of the Trust are to continuously promote fish consumption; teach people how to properly prepare a variety of fish dishes; increase consumer education; teach the nation about fish species; and create awareness of the trust and the entire fishing sector.

Esau said the NFCD will take place in different regions each year, with Erongo being the starting point.

The next region to host will be determined during a lucky draw to be held in September.

Activities planned for the day include a coastal road show from 28 August until 07 September, followed by a gala dinner.

The road show will visit seven towns in the region – Arandis, Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Omaruru, Usakos, Walvis Bay and Uis, as well as a few villages in the rural areas.

“We want to cultivate a culture of knowing our fish, and eating our fish,” stressed the minister.

On each NFCD, a national fish will be announced which will be promoted, and the public can choose which fish to promote.

The three species of fish the public can choose from are kabeljou, steenbras and horse mackerel, and the fish which receives the most votes will be crowned the national fish during each annual campaign.

A poll will be launched next week with regards to the voting process, and the closing date will be determined in due time.

“This will give the public a chance to be part of the decision-making. This will also allow people to identify the day with the specific fish chosen,” said Esau.

Meanwhile, all proceeds collected from the gala dinner will be used to support a charity institution or school in the region, noted Esau.