Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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National Recreational Fisheries Awards – Recipients in 2011
The 2011 Award recipients are:
- Daryl Guignion (Prince Edward Island)
- Rémi Aubin (Quebec)
- Claude Bernard (Quebec)
- Intermountain Sport Fishing Enhancement Group (Manitoba)
- Mo Bradley (British Columbia)
Daryl Guignion (Prince Edward Island)
Daryl Guignion is an inspirational educator and environmental activist who has devoted much of his own time for three decades to bettering the recreational fishery on Prince Edward Island. He helped found the Island Nature Trust and the Morell River Management Co-op, and has lobbied over many years for effective legislation and better environmental practices to conserve waterways for trout and salmon. As an educator, he trained many teachers who in turn educated their students about conservation and preservation of the environment. His work to establish the only legislated Conservation Zone in PEI along the Morell River is a highlight among the many projects Daryl has contributed to. By combining his scientific research background, his interest in recreational fish management, his educational capabilities and his ability to see projects through, Daryl has contributed vastly to the conservation and enhancement of the recreational fishery on PEI.
Rémi Aubin works in small bait and tackle shop/convenience store in Ville la Baie which is a small village in the Saguenay area of Quebec. He has an incredible passion for the winter and summer recreational fishery of the Saguenay River and has devoted his time, energy, knowledge and passion to benefit others regarding his unique recreational fishery. Each winter the Saguenay River becomes a location of choice for thousands of ice fishing enthusiasts as it is the only area in Canada where recreational fishing for saltwater species such as cod, turbot and redfish is authorized during winter months. This fishery generates over $5 million to the local economy, due in no small part to the efforts of Mr. Aubin. For the past 10 years, Mr. Aubin has organized an introductory fishing day to allow school children (in grades 3 to 6) to experience both summer and winter fishing in the Saguenay. This activity has grown since its inception and now sees between 200 and 300 children introduced to fishing, something that could not have been accomplished without the countless hours, effort and energy put into it by Mr. Aubin.
Claude Bernard has been passionate about fly fishing for many years. During his career as a teacher, he introduced many students to fly fishing and fly tying, even devoting his lunch breaks to do this. He was the driving force behind the creation of the culturally important Canadian Fly Fishing Museum in Waterloo and co-founded the Québec-Maritimes Fly Fishing Forum which attracts more than 2,000 participants annually. In addition, he has contributed his knowledge and passion to the creation and maintenance of streams suitable for fly fishing, such as the development of spawning beds, fish passages and other work on the North Yamaska River. He is currently leading development of a manual for the Pêche en herbe program for young sport fishers; this program introduces children 9 – 12 years old to recreational fishing. Claude has worked tirelessly for the resource and to ensure others can experience recreational fishing and has made a rich and lasting contribution to recreational fishing and its legacy for all Canadians.
Intermountain Sport Fishing Enhancement Group (Manitoba)
Formed 22 years ago, the Intermountain Sport Fishing Enhancement Group conducts many projects aimed at increasing the diversity of angling experiences and in improving fish habitat in Manitoba’s Parkland region. This volunteer group has played a significant role in fish habitat projects, in diversifying angling opportunities and in promoting greater understanding of the fisheries resource through outreach and stewardship programs. Intermountain has established and promoted creative fisheries programs such as “Camp Fish Youth Mentoring Program” and a stocked trout pond for youth fishing and education. Boat launch and access road projects have provided better access to fishing in the area. Overall, Intermountain Sport Fishing Enhancement Group is a leader for the sport fishery in the Parkland region, and promotes conservation and sustainability of watersheds and fisheries resources for future generations.
For over 30 years, Mo Bradley has been developing and promoting recreational fishing in the Kamploops/Shuswap area of British Columbia. He is passionate about fishing and about teaching others how to fish, particularly young people. In teaching others, he never emphasizes the catching of the fish, rather the whole experience of fishing including observation of the natural world. He has been an active member of local fishing clubs, contributing to expansion of programs to provide more fishing opportunities and educational experiences. As a board member for the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, Mo lent his expertise and understanding of the needs of the fishery to ensure that fisheries projects would be of long term benefit to the resource. A master fly-tyer, Mo donates more than 3,000 flies each year to conservation groups to raise funds; flies tied by Mo are much in demand. But passing on his knowledge and expertise to the future generation of anglers is considered by his peers to be the best aspect of Mo’s accomplishments overall.
