By Wezi Tjaronda WINDHOEK The world celebrated World Wetlands Day last Friday with a focus on the dwindling fish resources the world over. Although around 1 billion people rely on fish resources as their source of protein and most people include fish on their regular diet, the current state of the world’s fisheries remains a matter of concern. World Wetlands Day is celebrated every February 2 to mark the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. A statement issued to coincide with the day last week said most countries, including Namibia, had their commercially important marine resources over-fished and were close to their biological limit, yet the demand keeps on rising by the day due to population increases. Namibia’s small-scale fishermen, said the statement, are those who live alongside rivers such as the Kavango, Zambezi, Kwando/Linyanti/Chobe and also those around the Oshanas. “Their livelihood depends on making sure that there is Fish for Tomorrow,” said the statement. During seasonal floods in Namibia, especially in the north-central areas, Oshanas become important fishing grounds even though they dry up at times. The statement, issued by the Deputy Director: Water Environment, Department of Water Affairs in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Maria Amakali, said although fishing responsibly remains important, it is vital to keep the wetlands healthy. One of the ways to keep fish healthy is pollution control, which will not only keep fish in the river safe for people to eat, but also keep other species such as water birds, otters, and crocodiles. The intersectoral World Wetlands and Water Day committee has this year planned a series of events which started last week and which include the World Water Day on March 22 and a special celebration of one of Namibia’s designated Ramsar sites near the Orange river on March 30 and 31. The other Wetlands of international importance in Namibia are the Okavango Delta, to which Namibia is a riparian state, the Etosha Pan, Walvis Bay lagoon and Sandwich Harbour. As part of the commemoration, the Coastal Environmental Trust of Namibia and Every River project have organised quizzes between schools along the coastal areas and the Okavango River on February 16. Additionally, an arts competition for schools has also been organized, with entries expected by February 16. The themes for junior and senior schools are ‘Wetlands and Fisheries’ and ‘Coping with Water Scarcity’ respectively.