Gold medal performance for ACIAR’s Fisheries Program

ACIAR’s Fisheries Program was recently presented with a gold medal from the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), in recognition of its outstanding contribution to fisheries research and development throughout South East Asia over the past two decades.

Barney Smith (right) receiving the AFS Gold Medal,
presented by the then AFS President Derek Staples

The AFS Gold Medal, which is the society's highest honour, was presented at the 10th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum in Yeosu, Korea, on 30 April this year.

Mr Barney Smith, Fisheries Program manager from 1992–2009, received the award on behalf of ACIAR. The current program manager, Dr Chris Barlow, could not attend but was delighted with the honour bestowed.

The AFS acknowledged that the Fisheries program is one of the most successful and enduring programs in the region. It stated that the program’s efforts have made a great difference, and not to scientists only; the flow-on benefits could be felt by many associated communities and artisanal fishers.

By Dr Wendy Henderson, ACIAR Science Communicator