Three senior members of the Prince Edward Island shellfish industry were honoured Friday for their long-standing contributions to the development of the industry.
Wayne Somers of Little Sands, Leslie Hardy of East Bideford, and Art Smith of Freeland are this year's recipients of the Provincial Minister's Shellfish Recognition Awards. Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Greg Deighan presented the awards during the opening of the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival.
"The shellfish industry contributes close to $70 million to the Island economy and provides employment for more than 2,500 Islanders. That success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of people like Mr. Somers, Mr. Hardy and Mr. Smith," said Minister Deighan. "Their contribution to the shellfish industry in Prince Edward Island has certainly been felt, and I am delighted to have this opportunity to recognize their efforts."
At age 58, Wayne Somers is the youngest recipient of the Minister's Shellfish Recognition Award since its inception. He started in the mussel business in Murray River in 1980 and is responsible for many of the technological developments that have resulted in a viable industry for Prince Edward Island.
Mr. Somers was one of the founding members of the Atlantic Mussel Growers Co-op in the early 1980s and president when the processing plant was incorporated in 1986. In addition, he has served several terms as president of the Prince Edward Island Cultured Mussel Growers Association, is a founding member of the PEI Aquaculture Lease Management Board, and has shared his mussel techniques with many young growers who entered the business.
The other two award recipients have left their mark on the oyster industry. In fact, the name Leslie Hardy is synonymous with oysters. After teaching school for 13 years, Mr. Hardy purchased a lobster licence in 1973 and started his career in the fishing industry. He entered the oyster business in 1980 and built a processing plant in East Bideford. He and his wife Shirley raised a family of 8 children, all of whom have had a hand in building the company Leslie Hardy and Sons Ltd.
Mr. Hardy's business supports more than 250 fishers. The oyster industry is more a passion than a job for this industry leader. He has been a long-time supporter of the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association, serving as president for several years, and has been a strong supporter of oyster development projects over the years.
A pioneer of the oyster industry in Prince Edward Island, Art Smith's involvement began when he went into business with his father and brother under the name David Smith and Sons. At one time the company was the largest oyster dealer on Prince Edward Island, often shipping two railcar loads of oysters a week to markets in Quebec. Mr. Smith then owned a business under the name of Smith Bros. It was later sold and is now Howard's Cove Shellfish.
Mr. Smith has been a long-time supporter of the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association and has served as a director for more than 10 years. He loves the oyster business so much that at the age of 73 he still helps Howard's Cove Shellfish grade oysters for the market, fishes his leases and shares some inspiring stories about the rich history of the Island's oyster industry.
The Provincial Minister's Shellfish Recognition Awards are presented each year in conjunction with the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival. This year's festival continues at Peake's Wharf in Charlottetown throughout the weekend with cooking demonstrations, oyster shucking competitions, top Island entertainment and plenty of quality Prince Edward Island shellfish to enjoy.
Revenues from sales of Island shellfish at the festival assist the festival hosts, the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association and the Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance, in the work they carry out on behalf of the industry.