AwF is an independent organisation that promotes sustainable aquaculture in the alleviation of poverty (Photo: AwF)

After Nine Years AwF UK Consolidates Its Activities

After the concept of Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF) was discussed at a World Aquaculture Society (WAS) conference in Brazil in 2003, AwF was registered in the UK [AwF (UK)] and in the United States [AwF] and was launched by its founder, Michael New OBE, at the WAS conference in Hawaii in 2004.

Recently the trustees of AwF (UK) decided to close the charity in Great Britain in order to consolidate all the activities of the not-for-profit organisation within the international AwF. All the remaining funds of AwF (UK) were transferred to AwF in June 2012. Michael New remains the Founder and Patron of AwF, which is managed by a fifteen-member international board of directors.

Fish hatchery in Haiti

AwF (UK) and AwF have always shared the management of the charity using a common website and a common system of approving and monitoring field projects (the Technical Advisory Group, led by Australian Geoff Allan). AwF was chaired by Michael New for many years; he was succeeded by the Americans Kevin Fitzsimmons and Barry Costa-Pierce and by M.C. Nandeesha from India, the current AwF Chairman. Michael New remained Chairman of AwF (UK) throughout the nine years from its foundation to its closure.

Children and family showing their fish

The main difference between AwF and AwF (UK), which generally operated as a single entity, was that the income of AwF (UK) was raised by activities in the UK and a number of other European countries, while funds raised in the rest of the world were channelled through AwF.

Michael New

Each organisation supported specific AwF field projects. Between 2003 and 2012 the activities of AwF (UK) raised a total of £56,000 (USD 87,802) through donations (mainly from its directors and their families and friends), specific fund-raising activities, and support from aquaculture suppliers and societies. Other charities supporting the poor in developing countries also made significant contributions.

Throughout its life AwF (UK) uniquely operated without any employees or management costs; its trustees were its volunteer staff and took personal responsibility for incidental costs. This enabled every penny of the funds raised by AwF (UK) to be used to support field projects. The final balance in its accounts (£10,800 – USD 16,933) was transferred to AwF and will be used for similar work.

Funds raised by AwF (UK) were used to support projects in Bangladesh, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Nepal and Thailand. Details of these projects can be found on the AwF website project pages.

The funds utilised for supporting AwF (UK) field projects came not only from many individual and corporate donors but also from a wide range of fund-raising activities.

AwF has supported aquaculture projects in Bangladesh, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Nepal and Thailand

Michael New, OBE, patron and founder of AwF, has given his personal thanks to all those who have supported AwF (UK) over the past nine years and expressed his hopes that AwF will continue to help the poor in developing countries through the development of small-scale aquaculture.

About AwF

Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF) was founded in 2004 by Michael New, OBE.

AwF is an independent non-profit organisation that promotes and supports responsible and sustainable aquaculture in the alleviation of poverty by improving livelihoods in developing countries.

Source: AwF UK

Margaret E.L. Stacey
Editor Companies and Products
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

Address:	c/o Carol Mendoza Home Office Director World Aquaculture Society 143 J. M. Parker Coliseum Louisiana State University
City:	Baton Rouge
State/ZIP:	Louisiana (LA 70803)
Country:	United States
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