Dr. Anthony Taabu Returns to Iceland as Key Guest Speaker at GRÓ FTP Event
The GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme (GRÓ FTP) was honoured to welcome Dr. Anthony Taabu Munyaho back to Iceland as the keynote speaker at the promotional event “From Knowledge to Development Impact: Building Capacity for Sustainable Fisheries,” held on 4 February at the University of Akureyri.
Dr. Taabu first joined GRÓ FTP´s six-month training programme in 2024 as a fellow from Uganda, specialising in fisheries stock assessment. Recognising his strong research capability and leadership potential, GRÓ FTP later awarded him a doctoral scholarship, enabling him to complete a PhD in Biology (Fisheries Science) at the University of Iceland between 2011 and 2014. Since then, he has established himself as one of East Africa’s leading fisheries scientists, with more than 25 years of experience in research, resource management, and regional policy coordination—including serving as Director of Research at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) and later as Deputy Executive Secretary and Acting Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO).
At the February 4th event, Dr. Taabu reflected on his professional journey, the lasting impact of GRÓ FTP training and scholarship support, and the critical role of capacity building in advancing sustainable fisheries. He delivered an engaging and insightful presentation on the current state of fisheries in Lake Victoria—remarking that the lake is roughly two‑thirds the surface size of Iceland—and outlined key challenges related to stock management and ecosystem change. Dr. Taabu—who often introduces himself with the memorable nickname “ATM,” after his initials Anthony Taabu Munyaho—brought an infectious energy and clarity to his message and his keynote was warmly received by an appreciative audience. The link to a recording of the event is provided here: https://unak.panopto.nordu.net/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=c4f54adb-5f91-48c8-b40a-b3e700a112e0&start=5.187541
During his short visit, Dr. Taabu also met extensively with the current cohort of GRÓ FTP fellows. Before the event, he met with fellows in Reykjavík to discuss developments on Lake Victoria and emphasise the importance of evidence‑based management. Immediately after the 4th January event, he spoke with the Fisheries Policy and Management fellows based at the University of Akureyri, further exploring and analysing different management strategies among the three riparian states which manage fisheries on Lake Victoria.
GRÓ FTP was delighted to welcome Dr. Taabu back to Iceland and celebrate the achievements of a distinguished alumnus whose work continues to shape fisheries governance and advance the blue economy in East Africa.
