The 12th edition of the National Fish Consumption Day was celebrated at Mariental in the Hardap Region, highlighting the importance of fish in health and supporting the country's economy. 

Organised by the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT), this year's Fish Consumption Day was held under the theme 'Nourishing Communities, Sustaining Futures'.

In his speech delivered by Hardap Governor Salomon April, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Derek Klazen revealed Namibia's fish exports generate N$12 billion. 

Klazen furthermore reminded Namibians of the nutritional value of eating fish. 

"These bountiful resources are a gift from God, constituting one of the world's most substantial natural capture fisheries. In terms of the Namibian Constitution, our fisheries are a collective heritage, belonging to each and every Namibian, and therefore, they should serve the interests of all citizens."

NFCPT Board Chairperson Suzan Ndjaleka expressed gratitude to the fishing industry partners for their consistent support of the Trust's mission to transform Namibia into a fish-consuming nation. 

"We thank the fishing sector for their ongoing support; we thank everybody who could be here, and we hope that this day will be successful and what we are leaving behind will be appreciated." 

The celebration also featured a range of activities, including how to prepare fish dishes, a cooking competition, netball and soccer games, as well as music performances. 

The Hardap Region, as the host of this year's National Fish Consumption Day, also benefitted from N$522,000 in pledges in kind and financial by fishing industry stakeholders, local business communities, and financial institutions at a gala dinner held recently at Walvisbay. 

The contributions will go towards the education needs in the region. 

The ceremony also saw the donation of one tonne of fish by Beki-Kumata Fishing to the Hardap Region as well as dignity kits by The Blush Foundation.