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award for world fisheries
expert
22 March 2012
A University of Hull professor who has been actively involved
in promoting sustainable inland fisheries and conservation all over
the world has won the International Fisheries Science Prize.
Professor Ian Cowx, who is Director of the University of
Hull International Fisheries Institute, has worked both in the UK,
Europe and across the world to raise awareness, conserve fisheries
and promote sustainable inland water ecosystems.
<Professor Ian Cowx
Projects have included developing management plans for sustainable
fisheries on Lake Victoria, the second largest lake in the world;
and assessing the potential impacts of damming on the fisheries of
the Mekong River, a major food-source for many people living near
the river.
Alongside this, he has trained more than 30
PhD and 300 MSc students from at least 80 countries, ensuring the
skills and knowledge he has accumulated over the years is carried
forward.
The combination of Professor Cowx’s
ground-breaking project work with his educational legacy, has led
to his receiving the International Fisheries Prize – a sort of
lifetime achievement award for scientists in his field.
This prestigious award is only presented once
every four years, and is only the second time someone has been
recognised with the honour.
Professor Cowx said: “I am overwhelmed by this
award. It’s a very important and prestigious prize that is only
awarded once every four years, so to receive it is a tremendous
honour.
“I very much see this as not an award for me;
but as an award for all the people who have supported me through
all these years to allow me to get involved in the work that I
do.
“Hopefully, the projects I have been able to
complete will continue to benefit not just the people affected
across the world, but also my fellow staff and students at the Hull
International Fisheries Institute.”
A spokesman for the American Fisheries
Society, co-sponsors of the prize with the World Fisheries
Congress, said: “Professor Cowx has had an outstanding career of
diversified research and support of global conservation of
fisheries resources.
“He has demonstrated a strong conservation
ethic by promoting the importance of conserving global freshwater
fish communities and fisheries with his involvement in fisheries
conservation in multiple developing countries in addition to many
projects in the UK and Europe.
“Professor Cowx’s contributions to both
fisheries conservation and the advancement of fisheries science on
a global scale have earned him the distinction as the recipient of
the 2012 International Fisheries Science Prize.”
Professor Cowx will be presented with his
award at the forthcoming World Fisheries Congress, which is being
held in Edinburgh in May.
Ends.
Page last updated by Matthew Ho on
3/23/2012
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Notes to Editors
About the University of Hull International Fishing Institute
(HIFI) HIFI is a specialist unit at the University of Hull
that undertakes a range of research, education, training and
consultancy. Established in 1989, HIFI staff and associates have
extensive experience in fisheries, conservation and
aquatic-resource management. The integration of the institute into
the Department of Biological Sciences has allowed greater
collaboration and diversification in the research, consultancy and
teaching programmes HIFI is able to offer.
HIFI has long-standing relationships with key organisations that
promote research and development, including the European
Commission, Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations, World Bank, British Government Department for
International Development, UK Country and City Councils, Defra,
Cefas, Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, Countryside
Council for Wales, Environment Agency and Scottish Environment
Protection Agency and private clients in the UK, Europe and
worldwide.
About the International Fisheries prize for
Science
The International Fisheries Science Prize is
awarded for outstanding contributions to fisheries science or
conservation. The Prize was instituted in 2008 with awards being
granted once every four years at the World Fisheries Congress.
Professor Cowx will be presented with the award at this year’s 2012
meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland during May. The Prize is supported
by the Carl R. Sullivan Endowment Fund administered by the
International Fisheries Section of the American Fisheries Society
and co-sponsored by the World Council of Fisheries Societies.
For more about this year’s World Fisheries Congress, visit the
Congress website.