Once a year, Danmarks Sportsfiskerforbund (the Danish Sports Fishing Association) presents its Nature and Environment award for sustainability initiatives in nature and the environment, with particular focus on whether the recipient's efforts have benefited Danish watercourses, lakes, fjords and marine areas, and thus sports fishing in Denmark.

This year, Professor Stiig Markager from the Department of Bioscience at Aarhus University has received the honour and the DKK 10,000 that goes with it. The award was presented in connection with the annual congress of the association, which was held on 19th September.

Among other things, Danmarks Sportsfiskerforbund points out that Stiig Markager has conducted research into the Danish marine environment for three decades and produced numerous studies and reports. Moreover, his contribution to advising the authorities has been crucial in preparation of Danish plans to improve the aquatic environment and the marine environment in Denmark.

In autumn 2019, Bæredygtigt Landbrug, an interest organisation, praised Stiig Markager for two statements on agricultural discharges of nutrients into the aquatic environment. However, the professor has also maintained his academic statements and his presence in the public debate, and it is this work that has prompted the Danmarks Sportsfiskerforbund to present its Nature and Environment award to Stiig Markager, who said during the award ceremony:

"I'm both pleased and honoured by the recognition that this prize demonstrates. Participation in the environment debate over the past ten years has taken a lot of mental energy, and to be acknowledged with an award like this makes it all worthwhile."