Saving our precious ocean

THE ‘Friends with Fins’ environmental awareness project of De Beers Marine Namibia and the Swakopmund Aquarium was officially launched on Thursday.

At the occasion, Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo presented prizes to the six Grade Seven pupils from the coast who won an art competition that was part of the project. Iyambo talked about the advantage that the unique Benguela Current offers to the region, but stressed that responsible management and planning was crucial to sustain the vulnerable ecosystem.The Minister also thanked those who tried to save Humphrey, the humpback whale that recently beached itself and died in the lagoon near Walvis Bay.To date De Beers Marine Namibia’s total sponsorship for the ‘Friends with Fins’ project amounts to almost N$170 000.The aim is to create greater awareness of the Benguela Current ecosystem and the more common dolphin and shark species living in it.Iyambo talked about the advantage that the unique Benguela Current offers to the region, but stressed that responsible management and planning was crucial to sustain the vulnerable ecosystem.The Minister also thanked those who tried to save Humphrey, the humpback whale that recently beached itself and died in the lagoon near Walvis Bay.To date De Beers Marine Namibia’s total sponsorship for the ‘Friends with Fins’ project amounts to almost N$170 000.The aim is to create greater awareness of the Benguela Current ecosystem and the more common dolphin and shark species living in it.