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ARCHIVED - National Recreational Fisheries Awards – Recipients in 2005
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The 2005 Award recipients are:
- British Columbia Federation of Drift Fishers
- Long Point Bay Anglers' Association
- Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation
- Mr. Dean Toole
- Mr. John Wright
British Columbia Federation of Drift Fishers
Formed in 1996, the British Columbia Federation of Drift Fishers (BCFDF) has grown to be recognized as the voice of British Columbia's river Drift Fishers. This non-profit organization has as its primary concern the conservation and protection of the resource. The federation helps to foster an appreciation of all fish stocks and promotes responsible fishing through education, encouragement and collaboration. The BCFDF developed and has carried out a program called "Pathways to Fishing," geared towards teaching children the art of fishing. The program consists of information booths, manned by volunteers, that are set up to provide information on fish identification, rod and reel selection, baits and lures, knot tying, fishing locations, conservation, codes of conduct and the rules of fishing. The program has seen over 25 000 young visitors and has raised the awareness of sport fishing for countless Canadians.
Long Point Bay Anglers' Association
The Long Point Bay Anglers' Association was founded in June 1988 with a mandate to promote and protect the sport fishery of Long Point Bay and to represent the interests of fellow Long Point Bay anglers. The association plays an important role in sustaining the valuable sport fishery of Long Point Bay for ecological and economic benefit. Concerned with the survival of released fish during recreational tournaments, in 1996, the Long Point Bay Anglers' Association initiated the volunteer operation of a "Live Release Boat." As a means to encourage live-release practices and to promote a sustainable, renewable resource, the program also serves to educate the public on the importance of releasing fish to preserve the ecosystem of Lake Erie.
Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation
The Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation (MJWF) is a non-profit organization whose major goals are the enhancement and conservation of the environment. Started as a five-year undertaking, the "Walleye Hatchery Program" was undertaken by the federation with the aim of designing and building a portable walleye hatchery to aid in the restocking of depleted walleye resources in surrounding lakes. Over the years, the program has seen the release of millions of fry into local waters. While not all of those fry hatch, and even fewer reach full growth, the program has resulted in a marked increase in the number of walleye in area lakes. In addition to the portable hatchery, the federation endeavours to educate communities, and especially youth, on habitat enhancement and protection. In conjunction with youth groups and schools, the MJWF has brought local school tours to the hatchery, and youth groups have participated in the release of fry.
Mr. Dean Toole
Through what has been described as Mr. Dean Toole's "leadership, drive, organizational skills, knowledge and personal efforts," the Sussex Fish and Game Association of New Brunswick has been instrumental in activities including stream surveys, habitat enhancement, stocking projects, fish ladder installation, bank restoration and water-quality improvement. Through the efforts of Mr. Toole and the association he leads, essential baseline data have been gathered and prioritized on the Kennebecasis River and its surrounding watershed. That knowledge has encouraged informed projects to be undertaken to enhance water quality, fish habitat and population densities. As the leader of the association, Dean Toole has also helped to raise and to encourage public awareness of the Kennebecasis River and its surrounding watershed.
Mr. John Wright
With a volunteer career spanning over 40 years, Mr. John Wright, of British Columbia, has demonstrated an exceptionally high level of angling ethics, a partiality for conservation and sustainability, and a knack for bringing diverse groups to the table. Among his accomplishments, John Wright formed the Squamish-Lillooet Sport Fishing Advisory Committee and he operates and manages the Squamish Terminals' Chinook Salmon Sea Pen Program. Mr. Wright is also an active member of the Squamish Streamkeepers Group and has provided valuable habitat and watershed fish sustainability planning information and support to the group. Mr. Wright has coordinated recreational fishing and habitat activities among First Nations individuals, various municipal and provincial organizations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. With extensive participation in sport fishing issues, conservation, habitat, and salmon assessment and restoration efforts, Mr. John Wright's commitment to our waters is a strong testament to Canada's volunteer community.
