Minister Shea Congratulates Robert Scammell for his Contribution to Recreational Fisheries

RED DEER, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Sept. 2, 2014) -

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The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, awarded Robert Scammell with a 2014 National Recreational Fisheries Award for his outstanding contribution to promoting the interests of recreational fishing in Alberta.

Over the past five decades, he has written and spoken in support of conservation of Alberta's fisheries and recreational angling. In fact, his weekly outdoors column has been carried by the Red Deer Advocate continuously since 1966.

Mr. Scammell has a distinguished career of volunteerism. He served two terms as president for the Alberta Fish and Game Association, where he did much of his recreational fisheries work. He has also served with the Red Deer Public Library Board, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and the Alberta Conservation Association, to name a few.

In May 2013, he was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame for promoting the sport of recreational fishing as part of Alberta's life style. This is quite an accomplishment given that the Sports Hall of Fame is more noted for honouring competitive sports. He has set a superb example for others working to improve recreational fisheries.

Quick Facts

• 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.
• Recreational fishing represents an important economic, social and cultural contribution to Canada. According to the most recent survey on recreational fishing in Canada, recreational fishing contributes approximately $8.3 billion to local economies across Canada. Approximately 3.3 million adult anglers take part in recreational fisheries each year, including over 400,000 tourists who come to Canada to fish every year.
• As part of Economic Action Plans 2013 and 2014, the Government of Canada is investing $25 million in its new Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program. Under this program, the Government of Canada partners with local groups to implement a variety of projects that restore, rebuild or rehabilitate recreational fisheries habitat.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to recognize dedicated volunteers such as Mr. Scammell for their outstanding commitment to conservation of resources and to recreational fishing. Their efforts to protect fish and fish habitat and to promote recreational angling help preserve our important resources for future generations to enjoy. I offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Scammell for his outstanding contribution to recreational fishing in Canada."

The Honourable Gail Shea - Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

"It is a great honour to be recognized by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which I have always admired for what it has done, and hopefully will be able to continue to do to protect fish and their habitats in Alberta and other provinces."

Robert Scammell - Recipient of the 2014 National Recreational Fisheries Award

Associated Links

For more information about the National Recreational Fisheries Awards and nomination process, please visit our website at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/peches-fisheries/rec/rfa-ppr/awards-prix-eng.htm.

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