Minister Keith Ashfield Presents a 2012 National Recreational Fishing Award to the Family Fishing Society of British Columbia

June 27, 2012

Richmond, British Columbia - The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, presented volunteers from the Family Fishing Society of British Columbia with a 2012 National Recreational Fisheries Award.

      

Wayne Saito (left) accepts a 2012 National Recreational Fisheries Award from the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (right) on behalf of the Family Fishing Society of British Columbia, in Richmond, British Columbia.

“The Harper Government is proud to recognize the dedicated volunteers of the Family Fishing Society of British Columbia and congratulate them on the success of Family Fishing Weekend,” said Minister Ashfield. “Through these events, thousands of families have been introduced to recreational fishing and given an opportunity to enjoy British Columbia’s great outdoors.”

The Family Fishing Society of British Columbia was created in 1999 to encourage all British Columbians to take up recreational angling as a pastime and to enjoy British Columbia’s world-class sport fishing opportunities.

Family Fishing Weekend, held every year during Father’s Day weekend, is their primary event. Local communities and groups are encouraged to host family fishing events, and the Society provides organizational support, communication tools and media outreach, seed money, liability insurance, as well as prizes and collateral. Every year, nearly 11,000 people participate in Family Fishing Weekend and gain a lasting appreciation of British Columbia’s outdoors and of recreational fishing as a healthy family activity.

“Recreational fishing is a traditional activity worth preserving and protecting for future generations,” said Minister Ashfield. “I offer my sincere congratulations to the Family Fishing Society of British Columbia for their outstanding contribution to recreational fishing in Canada.”

Canada’s National Recreational Fisheries Awards were created in 1989 to recognize outstanding contributions by individuals and organizations in areas such as recreational community leadership, restoring and enhancing fisheries and fish habitat or promoting conservation and sustainable recreational fishing.

More information about the National Recreational Fisheries Awards and about submitting nominations for future Awards.

-30-

For Broadcast:

Minister Ashfield was in Richmond yesterday to present a 2012 National Recreational Fisheries Award to the Family Fishing Society of British Columbia. Canada’s Recreational Fisheries Awards recognize outstanding contributions by individuals and organizations in areas such as recreational angling, community leadership, restoring and enhancing fisheries and fish habitat or promoting conservation and sustainable recreational fishing.

For more information:

Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-990-7537

Barbara Mottram
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474

NR-HQ-12-17E