ARCHIVED - National Recreational Fisheries Awards – Recipients in 2000

The 2000 Award recipients are:

• Mr. Jeremy Maynard, British Columbia
• Winnipeg's Urban Angling Partnership, Manitoba
• Conservation Faune Aquatique Québec Inc., Charlesbourg, Québec
• Southeastern Anglers Association, Bouctouche, New Brunswick
• Mr. Jack Cooper, Happy Valley, Labrador

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Mr. Jeremy Maynard, British Columbia

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, 
presents a National Recreational Fisheries Award to Mr. Jeremy Maynard.

Mr. Maynard has been involved with the conservation of salmon and steelhead for at least 25 years. One of his major accomplishments includes raising over $100 000 for the Steelhead Society of British Columbia, which has been invested in local conservation and enhancement projects. He also served for two terms as the provincial Chairman of the Society. His tenure saw solid growth in the membership of the Society and a growing involvement in hands-on enhancement and stream rehabilitation projects.

Mr. Maynard has been an active member of the Campbell River Local Committee of the Sport Fishery Advisory Board (SFAB). He has served as chairman of the provincial SFAB and has done a tremendous job of successfully guiding the recreational sector. He has been a strong supporter of the development of a selective mark fishery and has garnered full support from membership for this program. Mr. Maynard has also, through his chairmanship, been involved in major management issues with other ocean species such as crab, prawn, shrimp, halibut, lingcod and rockfish. He continues to be involved as a volunteer on a key small Coho stream in his area.

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Winnipeg's Urban Angling Partnership, Manitoba

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, presents a National Recreational Fisheries Award to Mr. John Toone Jr. (Fish Futures Inc.), Mr. Don Lamont (Complete Angler), Mr. Terry Robinson (Winnipeg's Urban Angling Partnership), Mr. Larry Milian (Manitoba Wildlife Federation) and Mr. Paul Gentes (City of Winnipeg).

Winnipeg's Urban Angling Partnership (UAP) is made up of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, Fish Futures Inc., the Mid-Canada Marine Dealers Association, the City of Winnipeg and the Complete Angler. Over the past five years, several programs have been initiated that have resulted in direct benefits to Winnipeg's recreational fisheries.

The UAP's Learn to Fish Program is designed to teach the basics of fishing to new anglers by providing quality instruction and support from local tackle shop retailers. To date, 750 individuals have participated in the training. The Winnipeg Fish Festival, initiated by the UAP, is a yearly event with over 5000 individuals in attendance. Fish Winnipeg Media/Corporate Challenge, organized by the UAP, has allowed 1000 children to experience a fishing adventure that many would never have had the opportunity to enjoy. Children's fishing camps in 2000 were co-sponsored by the UAP to introduce fishing and life skills to youth. The positive response received from parents and participants of the program will lead to expansion of this program in 2001. The UAP, in conjunction with other partners, was also responsible for the Urban Access Development program in providing safe access sites to the Red and Assiniboine rivers.

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Conservation Faune Aquatique Québec Inc., Charlesbourg, Québec

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans,
presents a National Recreational Fisheries Award to Mr. George Nolan.

Conservation Faune Aquatique Québec Inc. (CFAQ) is committed to bringing together individuals and wildlife users interested in the protection, development and harvesting of our wildlife resources. Key objectives of CFAQ are the cleanup and development of the rivers and streams, lakes and wildlife habitat found throughout Quebec. In 1991, this non-profit organization launched a project for the management, revitalization and development of the wildlife capability of the Rivière des Commissaires. This 7.2-km river flows from east to west across the urban landscape of the City of Charlesbourg. CFAQ initiated rehabilitation work on the river in the spring of 1994 with the support of many financial partners, the permission of the majority of property owners along the banks of the river and an army of close to 500 volunteers.

Over a five-year period, shorelines and riverbeds were cleaned up. In addition, riverbanks were stabilized by building retaining walls, planting more than 6000 plants, restoring sills and spawning sites, and stocking the river with eggs and trout. When the project is completed, it will be possible to engage in various outdoor activities along this river, including fishing within the city limits.

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Southeastern Anglers Association, Bouctouche, New Brunswick

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans,
presents a National Recreational Fisheries Award to Mr. Jean Claude Babineau

The Southeastern Anglers Association was established in 1993 to develop a feasible sport fishery strategy, participate in restocking and habitat enhancement projects, and provide education, protection and training programs related to the sport fishery in southeastern New Brunswick. One of its major goals is to safeguard the region's beautiful rivers.

The association conducts studies and programs, such as bycatch surveys, trout stocking, broodstock collecting and stream surveys, that enhance rivers and improve sport fishing opportunities. It has acquired an outstanding reputation in southeastern New Brunswick and is committed to increasing sport fishing opportunities in the rivers and streams it represents. In appreciation of its exceptional dedication to preserving and improving the environment of Kent County, the association was recently awarded the environmental citizenship certificate by the provincial Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

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Mr. Jack Cooper, Happy Valley, Labrador 

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans,
presents a National Recreational Fisheries Award to Mr. Jack Cooper.

Mr. Cooper is the owner/operator of a world-class resort on Minipi Lake, home of the unique strain of Eastern brook trout. Very early in his lodge operation, he recognized the fragile ecosystem in which those trout existed.

As a result, Mr. Cooper became a pioneer in fly-fishing and instituted the practice of releasing all but a very small number of fish. In fact, he was the first outfitter in Labrador to impose catch-and-release of all fish angled and a one fish per week limit on guests who stay at this lodge. Catch-and-release has now become so popular that most visitors to the resort observe this practice. Indeed, the idea that fish, particularly trophy fish, are too valuable to simply be caught once has now, thanks to his efforts, come to be the established standard. Mr. Cooper has also financially supported research on the unique Eastern brook trout population to ensure that Minipi Lake is not overfished.