Due to its activities toward safeguarding the marine environment and biodiversity of the Persian Gulf, QECI has been acknowledged as one of the four top local environment NGOs working in Hormozgan Province (southern Iran) in 2020-2021. Dr. Habib Masihi Taziani, Director General of the Administrative Office of the Iran Department of Environment in Hormozgan Province presented a plaque of appreciation to QECI at the monthly meeting of the NGOs in April 2021.