Section 3
Recognizing Excellence
AWARDS
Dr. Donald C. Gordon– DFO Timothy R. Parsons Medal 2008
Dr. Donald C. Gordon, Scientist Emeritus with the Ecosystem Research Division at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, received the 2008 DFO Timothy R. Parsons Medal for Excellence in Multidisciplinary Ocean Sciences. During his 35 years at DFO and in his retirement, Dr. Gordon authored more than 65 primary publications and nearly 100 interpretive scientific reports and popular articles. His work has significantly influenced government policy and regulation with respect to the protection and ecosystem-based management of Canadian ocean resources. He influenced the assessment and regulation of offshore oil and gas development on Canada's east coast, provided the scientific basis for fisheries closures to protect coral communities and spearheaded the inclusion of habitat issues into fisheries management plans.
Dr. Donald C. Gordon received the 2008 DFO Timothy R. Parsons Medal for Excellence in Multidisciplinary Ocean Sciences.
Photo: D. Gordon
Dr. Robert James Young: Great Lakes Fishery Commission — Vernon Applegate Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sea Lamprey Control
Dr. Robert Young of DFO's Arctic Aquatic Research Division received the Vernon Applegate Award from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission for providing positive leadership while continually challenging conventional sea lamprey management techniques and for helping create and refine clear management goals and methods for sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes. Dr. Young has been involved in sea lamprey management since 1988 and was one of the earliest researchers to quantify the effects of St. Mary's River remediation on the increased production of sea lampreys from this system. He chaired the committee that began the review process for sea lamprey control methods used in the Great Lakes, which led to the refinement of models and methods used to evaluate overall program success.
On behalf of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, DFO Assistant Deputy Minister of Science Dr. Wendy Watson- Wright presents the Vernon Applegate Award to Dr. Robert Young.
Dr. Richard Beamish: Vancouver Island University — Honorary Doctor of Science Degree
Dr. Richard Beamish received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Vancouver Island University in 2009. As a graduate student in 1969, Dr. Richard Beamish codiscovered the problem of acid rain in North America. He has worked as a research scientist for DFO's Pacific Biological Station for 36 years and has authored or coauthored more than 250 scientific papers and reports, for which he has received national and international awards and recognition, including the Order of Canada. Dr. Beamish also represents Canada on many prestigious international panels and commissions.
Dr. Richard Beamish receives an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Vancouver Island University.
Photo: Heather McDermott
Dr. Denis Lefaivre: 2009 Geoff Howell Citation of Excellence for Innovation from Environment Canada
Dr. Denis Lefaivre, research scientist and Manager, Modelling and Operational Oceanography, for DFO's Canadian Hydrographic Service (Quebec Region), was one of 10 co-recipients of the 2009 Geoff Howell Citation of Excellence for Innovation from Environment Canada. Dr. Lefaivre was recognized for his exceptional contribution to the development and implementation of the Canadian Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean-Ice Forecast System, which has significantly improved the prediction of atmosphere, ocean and ice conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This innovative system is the result of collaboration between DFO and Environment Canada.
Photo: DFO, F. Pouliot
Prix d'Excellence – DFO Science Award Recipients
The Prix d'Excellence is Fisheries and Oceans Canada's most prestigious award, honouring individuals and teams who have made exemplary contributions to the Department. On June 12, 2009, employees of the DFO Science Sector listed below received awards.
| AWARD RECIPIENT | AREA OF EXCELLENCE | REGION | REASON FOR AWARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Richard Beamish, James A. Boutillier, Robin Brown, Chrys-Ellen M. Neville and Roger Wysocki |
Values and Ethics | Pacific and National Capital regions | For their contributions to DFO's Bowie Seamount Marine Protected Area (MPA) Designation Team. The team held consultations with First Nations, neighbouring communities, academia, environmental organizations, industry groups and various levels of government to build consensus on designation. The Bowie Seamount MPA was officially designated on April 19, 2008. |
| C.E. Bourgeois, Keith Clarke, Richard F. Goosney, P. Eng., John Murray, Curtis J. Pennell and T. Rex Porter |
Service Delivery | Newfoundland and Labrador Region | For their contributions to the DFO Exploits River Salmon Smolt Diversion Team. The team collaborated with industry to reduce the mortality of salmon smolts during their migration by diverting them from power plant water intakes on the Exploits River at Grand Falls and Bishop's Falls, N.L. The development and installation of state-of the-art equipment and the implementation of new operating procedures has led to a 17 percent increase in the survival rate of salmon molts over the past 15 years. |
| Dr. John D. Neilson | Policy and/or Science | Maritimes Region | For selfless dedication to his work at DFO and as amentor to staff, colleagues and students. In a career spanningmore than 25 years, Dr. Neilson has deepened our understanding of fish ecology and advanced Canada's ability tomanage its fisheries. His research, including studies of bluefin tuna and other large pelagic species, has greatly strengthened Canada's international governance profile. |
| G. E. (Beth) Piercey | Policy and/or Science | Pacific Region | For excellence in fieldwork as a research technician who protects Canadian waters from invasive species, which are commonly harboured in the ballast water of ships or in sediment picked up along the way. Collecting samples from ships for analysis can be difficult and dangerous work for which Ms. Piercey has shown a high level of professionalism and perseverance. |
| Dr. Gayle S. Brown, Sandy R. A. C. Johnston, Dr. Richard E. McNicol, Charles K. Parken and Frank Quinn |
Policy and/or Science | Pacific Region | For their contributions to the Pacific Salmon Treaty Team and the spirit of collaboration they brought to the treaty negotiations with the United States. Working with First Nations, fishing groups and environmental organizations, they developed a treaty that benefits Canadians, protects Pacific salmon species and lays the groundwork for a more sustainable fishery in western Canada. |
| Louise Gendron | Policy and/or Science | Quebec Region | For her contributions to the DFO Lobster Conservation Team. To rejuvenate lobster stocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the team developed a detailed conservation plan and Louise Gendron used statistical analysis to show fishers that following the plan would lead to an increase in lobsters. Over the past 12 years, the size of the average lobster harvested in the region has grown by 25 percent and egg production has doubled. |
| Dr. Robert H. Devlin | Policy and/or Science | Pacific Region | For his exceptional work as a research scientist in fields ranging from gene structure and function to fish health and behavioural ecology. Dr. Devlin is a world authority on risk assessment related to genetically modified salmon and is highly regarded for his work on fish reproduction physiology and genetics. |
| Dr. J. Steve Macdonald and Erland MacIsaac | Policy and/or Science | Pacific Region | For their contributions to the Riparian Areas Regulation Team. The team spent five years working and negotiating with provincial staff to ensure that the natural features, functions and conditions that support fish life processes in urban riparian areas are adequately protected. Their work led to the signing of an Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement in June 2008 between the Ministry of the Environment, Union of B.C. municipalities and DFO. |
| Dr. Arthur E. Collin | Policy and/or Science | National Capital Region | For his leadership and science and technology initiatives, which have strengthened public policy and the way government manages its science enterprises. |
- Date Modified:
- 2013-04-22