National Recreational Fishery Award Presented to Manitoulin Streams Volunteers
MANITOWANING, Ontario – The 2012 National Recreational Fisheries Award was presented today, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to Manitoulin Streams volunteers.
Manitoulin Streams was awarded the National Recreational Fishery Award from Fisheries and Oceans Canada at a ceremony Thursday evening in Manitowaning, Ontario. (From L to R) Paul Moffatt, Board Member Manitoulin Streams; Ed DeBruyn, Regional Director of Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Ted Williamson Chair of Manitoulin Streams Board of Directors.
“Recreational fishing is a tradition worth preserving and protecting for future generations,” said Minister Ashfield. “Our government is proud to recognize the important role of volunteers and groups like Manitoulin Streams in and helping to sustain the recreational fishing experience throughout Canada.”
“This award is presented to Manitoulin Streams for its leading-edge work in stream rehabilitation,” said Ed DeBruyn, Regional Director with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, speaking on behalf of the Minister. “These dedicated volunteers are making an important contribution to recreational fishing around Manitoulin Island and Lake Huron, and are helping to keep this tradition alive for future generations.”
Through the rehabilitation and enhancement of important cold water streams, Manitoulin Streams has created 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 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.
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.
For more information about the National Recreational Fisheries Awards and about submitting nominations for future Awards, please visit our website.
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The 2012 National Recreational Fisheries was presented today to volunteers from Manitoulin Streams. 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
613-990-7537
Barbara Mottram
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
NR-CA-13-01E
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