Department Recognizes Sport Fish Volunteers

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Department Recognizes Sport Fish Volunteers

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ernest Fage presented 10 Nova Scotians with Sport Fish Awards. The award ceremony took place recently at Province House in Halifax in acknowledgment of the International Year of Volunteers.

Award winners were recognized for their volunteer contributions to the sport fishing sector and to their local communities.

"These people have exhibited outstanding leadership in both sportfishing and community issues," said Mr. Fage. "They have helped provide strength and unity in our communities and set an outstanding example for others."

Awards were presented to individuals from each of the province's six recreational fishing areas and to five members of the minister's Inland Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Recipients from the recreational fishing areas included: Walter Regan, Sackville, Sackville Rivers Association; Dave Dagley, Liverpool, Queens County Fish and Game; Scott Cook, Black River, Kings County Wildlife Association; Jack Johnson, Truro, Cobequid Salmon Association; Marshall Kaiser, Baddeck, Cape Breton Sportfishing Advisory Council; Robert Ferguson, Westville, Pictou County Rivers Association.

Winners of the Inland Fisheries Advisory Committee Award included: Tony Robinson, Halifax, the Canadian Association of Smallmouth Anglers; Michael Robinson, Black River, Kings Co., Fisheries Institute of Nova Scotia; Scott Cook, Black River, Kings Co., Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters; Tom Lee, Halifax, Trout Nova Scotia; and Terry MacIntyre of Pomquet, Antigonish Co., the Nova Scotia Salmon Association.

The value of volunteer effort contributed to the sport fishery in Nova Scotia is estimated at $9 million dollars each year. Nova Scotia leads the country in volunteer participation, which helps support a sport fishery that is valued at $82 million a year.