Fisheries and Oceans Canada
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
National Recreational Fisheries Awards – Recipients in 2012
The 2012 Award recipients are:
- Don Hustins (Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation (Prince Edward Island)
- Hedrik Wachelka (Ontario)
- Manitoulin Streams (Ontario)
- Family Fishing Society of British Columbia
Don Hustins (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Don Hustins has made a serious contribution to the conservation and protection of the salmon and trout resources in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, through his active involvement as a volunteer for over 40 years. He was a founding member of the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland in 1979 and has served in many different capacities in the years since. In particular, from 1980-1993 he was chair of the St. Mary’s Bay Atlantic Salmon Enhancement Program which was the first community-sponsored Atlantic salmon enhancement program in Atlantic Canada. In this capacity, Mr. Hustins worked with funding agencies, fisheries managers, enforcement program staff, the public and the media, he organized many field trips to provide people the opportunity to view Atlantic salmon spawning, and he educated the public on the importance of salmon enhancement to restore stocks in the Province. Don Hustins is currently President of the Salmonid Council of Newfoundland and Labrador and is a member of the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation’s Central Advisory Committee, where he continues to show his strong commitment to conservation of our natural resources.
Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation (Prince Edward Island)
The Souris and Area Branch was established in 1954 and has long been the most active branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation. This group is a tireless supporter of recreational angling, by conserving and protecting fish habitat, promoting recreational angling and ensuring that this important heritage is preserved for future generations to enjoy. More recent examples of this group’s work include championing a cooperative project to re-introduce Atlantic salmon in the Souris River watershed, hosting very successful family fishing events, and working with provincial officials to develop a long-term management plan to deal with obstructions to anadromous fish passage. This organization’s efforts to restore and maintain the ecological integrity of the 20 watersheds in Eastern Kings county, covering more than 10% of the land mass of Prince Edward Island, has made it a model for other watershed groups to follow. Their exemplary and continuous work in areas such as creation of a Brook trout nursery, construction of a salt water marsh, improved agricultural practices, youth education, and fish habitat enhancement, show their outstanding commitment to conservation and to recreational fishing.
Hedrik Wachelka has a passion for muskellunge. He has been a “muskie” angler for almost 50 years, but he has also made this fish species his life’s work. One of the organizing members of the Ottawa Chapter of Muskies Canada in 1988, he has served in various capacities and is currently Education Director. Throughout his life, Mr. Wachelka has been a strong advocate of respect for the aquatic environment and for catch and release angling. He has volunteered his time to work with researchers in the field and has been a leader in educating others about habitat restoration and conservation. Due to his efforts, the minimun size limit for muskellunge was increased, resulting in over 95% of muskies caught being returned to the water. He has raised public awareness of the importance of water quality and fish habitat in the urban environment around Ottawa. By raising the profile of muskellunge and promoting catch and release angling practices, Hedrik Wachelka has contributed greatly to the sustainability of this species in both Ontario and Quebec. Members of Muskies Canada have also recognized Mr. Wachelka’s important contributions by establishing the “Hedrik Wachelka Conservation Award” which is given each year to the top conservation project.
Manitoulin Streams is a leading-edge stream rehabilitation organization. This group has created, through the rehabilitation and enhancement of important cold water streams, healthy and self-sustaining river ecosystems that contribute to the ecological, economic and social health of Manitoulin Island and surrounding Great Lakes areas. Work performed by Manitoulin Streams volunteers directly improves and supports the socio-economically important recreational fisheries resource of Manitoulin Island and Lake Huron. Manitoulin Streams is a grass-roots organization with a focus on large-scale, community-based efforts to restore aquatic ecosystems, promotion of ecosystem health, and public education. Since this group’s inception in 2001, volunteers have leveraged over $2 million in funding and in-kind support towards the rehabilitation of 29 major stream sites and over eight kilometres of streams, rivers and creeks. Key to the achievements of Manitoulin Streams have been their partnerships with landowners, industry, fish and game clubs and governments, as well as their education efforts aimed at schools, community groups and First Nations on the importance of protecting fish habitat.
Family Fishing Society of British Columbia
Created in 1999, the Family Fishing Society of British Columbia’s mission is to “encourage all British Columbians to take up recreational angling as a pastime and to enjoy British Columbia’s world-class sport fishing opportunities”. The Society’s programs are targeted to families and young people. Their primary strategy is to encourage local communities to host family fishing events during Father’s Day weekend. To this end, the Family Fishing Society provides organizational support to communities and groups wishing to host an event, as well as communication and media tools, coordination of media outreach, seed money, liability insurance, prizes and collateral, to make Family Fishing Weekend events around the Province a success. Today, nearly 11,000 participants annually enjoy family fishing opportunities on these weekends, gaining a lasting appreciation of British Columbia’s outdoors and of recreational fishing as a healthy family activity.
